To what extent is internet banking safe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

To what extent is internet banking safe - Essay Example Hackers look for online retailers with large customer base and poor security to obtain their usernames and passwords to access their financial information. Most customers fall prey to emails that appear to be send by their bank but steal the customers’ passwords by leading them to fraudulent websites. Keylogging is a process through which all strokes of a password are tracked by a virus while the password is being entered. It can breach personal computers’ defences. Ordinary web users can fend off such software with having latest versions of anti-virus software installed and extra-thick internet firewalls. Hackers use latest technology to surpass their barriers and many users overlook regular computer checks. In order to deal with these threats, online banks avoid connecting to the internet directly. Instead, they use firewall technology to protect their computer system from unauthorized access. Many online banks hire outside security experts so as to ensure that their systems are secure internally and externally against the experts’ attempts to make unauthorized attacks. If a user forgets logging off while the banking session has been inactive for a certain duration which is usually few minutes, the online bank ends the session for the user. The information can thus not be accessed in the terminated account. The user needs to give the User ID and Password to resume the banking session again. Security systems commonly employed by online banks can be categorized into two types; software based systems and hardware based systems. In the software based systems, information is coded and decoded with the help of specialized security software. These systems are in abundance in the market because of their ease of distribution and portability. Security systems based on software employ encryption as the main method. Encryption modifies information so that it becomes unreadable till the process is reversed. Online banks use Secured Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to provide their users with safe online transaction services. Messages in each session are encrypted with a unique master key. Encryption is a process of communication in which the private information is scrambled to deter unauthorized access during the transmission of information from the user’s browser to the bank. The master key used for a particular session is wasted once the user has signed off because it was only meant for one session. Users need an internet browser which supports the encryption of 128 bits before they can login to the internet banking (FirstBank, 2013). This ensures use of the highest security level. Some examples of the current encryption technology include digital signature, pretty good privacy (PGP), and Kerberos (Yang, 1997). A digital signature transforms a signed message so that the sender is recognizable to the reader. A private key is used to sign the messages which are then verified with a public

Participatory Action Research Essay Example for Free

Participatory Action Research Essay The youth group was started in 2004 after the youths realized something was going wrong in the community and they were the right people to rectify the situation. They then came together and registered with the Ministry of Culture and Social Services Youth Affairs. It’s a non-profit making organization whose purpose is to address the needs of the youths and to improve the living standards of the community. The group brings together youths of both genders and has no ethnic or racial barriers as it believes youths from whatever background experience the same problems and must come together in order to solve them. Majority of the youths are trained in various fields of education and so it’s a pool of educated young men and women committed to be difference makers in other people’s lives. Currently the group has thirty five fully registered and active members but there is room for more members to join them. Since its formation, the group has provided their voluntary services beyond area of operation to improve the well being of the community. Their areas of activities include youths and community mobilization and awareness on HIV/AIDS, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), guidance and counseling services, education on income generating activities, youth and community education on alcohol and drug abuse, education on leadership and administration, planning and accountability, tree planting exercise and offering voluntary services for the well being of the community. The group is seeking to address the most pressing needs that are affecting them and the community where they are living. These pressing need collaborative efforts as they cannot be solved by the community alone as they need technical expertise and some substantial funding. These needs were prioritized according to their impact in the community and they include; the high unemployment rate among the youth, gender disparity due to the culture, and idleness among the youths leading to irresponsible youth behavior, high infection rate of AIDS and other venereal diseases, drug abuse, poor farming methods leading to food insecurity and afforestation problem.. The members agreed that they had the brains, knowledge and skills and if put together and shared will bring a big change among the group members, other youths and the community at large. Though they have had challenges especially from the elderly community members when discussing on sexual issues, the group is committed to continue working until they have attained their set objectives. Their services to the community have effected some positive changes, which have commended by the community members. The group also works with other major stakeholders who have been helpful to the group in terms of training and financial support. These include the Community Based Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Religious Organizations, Society and the Government to improve the living standards of the community. These stakeholders have been very helpful to the youth group because they have been offering training without charging them any fee, giving the youths some incentives as well as the community and funding their projects at some level. They have been able to work with the group since it was started and have promised they will continue working with them as long as keep the agreement with them. The possible research question that could be answered if the researcher collaboratively worked the major stakeholders is to find out whether their input into the group has had and positive impact to the youth group and to the community. This research question will be a guide to getting some critical information which will be used by the group to improve on the areas that they are not performing well (The research question could be as follows; What has been your input to the group and has it had any impact to the group and to the society? ) The benefits of doing the work the researcher is proposing is that it could again help the group to be able to identify their weakness and then find out solutions for them. It will also open another door for them to meet other partners through the researcher who will pump in some more useful input to the group. Through their interaction with them some critical issues may rise which could not have been solved, but it will be an opportunity to solve them. In one way the group could be advertising or selling itself and what they are undertaking through these formal discussions as the contents of the discussions will be published somewhere, which will get some support for the group. This could be beneficial to the group and to the researcher as he/she will be able to learn more about how groups work. As concerns to the ethical issues, the protocol has to be followed and the group has to be consulted first before anything happens. There should be respect for the group and any information about the group should be kept secret as it is. The researcher should make sure that he/she work within the guidelines of the group and should she/he need any information should follow the right channels but not go to public and tell the public about the group against their wishes References Luft, J (1984). An Introduction to Group Dynamics (3rd Edition). Mountain View, CA: Mayfield Toseland, R Rivas, R. (2005) Introduction to Group Practice, Allyn Bacon. New York.

The Virtual Home :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites The family is the mainspring of support of every kind. It mobilizes psychological resources and alleviates emotional burdens. It allows for the sharing of tasks, provides material goods together with cognitive training. It is the prime socialization agent and encourages the absorption of information, most of it useful and adaptive. This division of labour between parents and children is vital both to development and to proper adaptation. The child must feel, in a functional family, that he can share his experiences without being defensive and that the feedback that he is likely to receive will be open and unbiased. The only "bias" acceptable (because it is consistent with constant outside feedback) is the set of beliefs, values and goals that is internalized via imitation and unconscious identification. So, the family is the first and the most important source of identity and of emotional support. It is a greenhouse wherein a child feels loved, accepted and secure - the prerequisites for the development of personal resources. On the material level, the family should provide the basic necessities (and, preferably, beyond), physical care and protection and refuge and shelter during crises. Elsewhere, we have discussed the role of the mother (The Primary Object). The father's part is mostly neglected, even in professional literature. However, recent research demonstrates his importance to the orderly and healthy development of the child. He participates in the day to day care, is an intellectual catalyst, who encourages the child to develop his interests and to satisfy his curiosity through the manipulation of various instruments and games. He is a source of authority and discipline, a boundary setter, enforcing and encouraging positive behaviours and eliminating negative ones. He also provides emotional support and economic security, thus stabilizing the family unit. Finally, he is the prime source of masculine orientation and identification to the male child - and gives warmth and love as a male to his daughter, without exceeding the socially permissible limits. These traditional roles of the family are being eroded from both the inside and the outside. The proper functioning of the classical family was determined, to a large extent, by the geographical proximity of its members. They all huddled together in the "family unit" – an identifiable volume of physical space, distinct and different to other units. The daily friction and interaction between the members of the family moulded them, influenced their patterns of behaviour and their reactive patterns and determined how successful their adaptation to life would be.

The Determinants Of Diabetes Health And Social Care Essay

Diabetess affects over 3 million grownups in Australia alone-of which 90 % is type 2 ( Baricevic, 2007 ) non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus ( NIDDM-for the interest of this essay diabetes is mentioning to type 2 NIDDM ) . There are legion biological and socioeconomic determiners of the disease which has developed into Australia ‘s fastest turning chronic disease. Whilst it is â€Å" frequently considered a lifestyle disease ( Scobie & A ; Samaras, 2009 ) † this is a common misinterpretation with many other lending factors such as genetic sciences, the environment and economic fortunes. Whilst much research has gone into the management/treatment of diabetes, work on turn toing the ‘upstream ‘ determiners has begun. Physical therapists play a critical function in the bar and intervention of the status with them frequently ordering exercising plans for diabetic patients. Diabetess consequences from a sum or partial insulin lack, ensuing in hypoglycemia. This lack prevents glucose motion between the blood and cells, making a build-up of glucose in the blood stream. As a consequence of the hypoglycemia, several key symptoms are present including bleary vision ; increased mending times ; unexplained weight addition ; increased passing of piss ; aridity ; fatigue and giddiness. In 2010 diabetes accounted for 6.6 % of Australia ‘s entire loads of disease and has been identified as one of the eight national wellness precedences ( AIHW, 2010 ) .Section 1Hamdy, Goodyear, & A ; Horton ( 2004 ) contend that there are three cardinal lending factors to the oncoming of diabetes. These include familial sensitivity, decreased insulin action and a defect in the pancreatic I? cell. However the most well-known biological and behavioral determiners of the status relate to fleshiness with the comparative hazard being 1.8 for an fleshy individual and a astonishing 3.2 for corpulent people ( Marks, Coyne, & A ; Pang, 2001 ) . Weight related determiners include fleshiness ( morbid and centrist ) , sedentary life style, hapless diet and low degrees of physical activity ( Ramlo-Halsted & A ; Edelman, 1999 ) . Hamdy, Goodyear & A ; Horton ( 2004 ) suggest the primary ground for such social alterations taking to the dramatic rises in the rates of both fleshiness and more so diabetes is urbanisation. They suggest that the recent global urbanization and increase in engineering has created a society where traditional incidental signifiers of exercising have been alleviated in favor of engineering and the progresss that it has facilitated. Cultural groups have peculiarly been affected by these alterations with their traditional signifiers of life transformed as they excessiv ely are impacted by globalization. An illustration of such a group in Australia is the Autochthonal Australians. As with about all countries of wellness, they are badly over represented in the per centum enduring from diabetes. __________ Other factors lending to the oncoming of the disease include older age,Section 2Despite these factors being good documented as some of the primary causes of diabetes, Scobie & A ; Samaras ( 2009 ) argue that these factors accelerate the oncoming instead than being the primary cause. -biological/behavioural determiners of wellness Age Familial background-parental history -groups at peculiar hazard: Aged Peoples with a household history Certain cultural groups ( eg Aboriginal Australians ) Low SESSection 2 ( associate back in with single determiners )– † Factors such as poorness, hapless instruction, societal exclusion, unemployment and deficiency of or hapless quality lodging all contribute to wellness inequalities. † -socioeconomic determiners of wellness Policyi? PA degrees in schools, NPAG, instruction Communityi? entree to parks/paths Environmentali? safety, entree to fresh nutrient Societali? urbanization and increase in engineering = down incidental exercising Economici? employment/occupation, income, wealthSection 3Traditionally intervention of diabetes has focused on the ‘downstream ‘ factors, with the focal point being at an single degree. Exercise and weight loss are cardinal facets of the intervention, given that ________ . Exercise entirely leads to a important betterment in insulin sensitiveness ( Misra, et al. , 2008 ) . In line with the National Physical Activity Guidelines ( Department of Health and Ageing, 2010 ) , it is recommended that persons take part in at least 30 min of walking 5 yearss per hebdomad. The guidelines highlight four key points for all grownups sing physical activity, with these being peculiarly of import for people with diabetes. They are: Think of motion as an chance, non an incommodiousness Be active every twenty-four hours in every bit many ways as you can Put together at least 30 proceedingss of moderate-intensity physical activity on most, sooner all, yearss If you can, besides bask some regular, vigorous activity for excess wellness and fittingness ( Department of Health and Ageing, 2010 ) In concurrence with exercising, a healthy diet is indispensable for the effectual intervention of diabetes ( DA Victoria, 2002 ) . This has been proven to hold the individual greatest natural impact on blood glucose degrees ; every bit good as helping weight loss and diminishing insulin opposition. Foods should non be limited to low GI, with a diet focussed on high protein ( such as fish and low fat dairy ) ; high saccharides ( such as pasta, staff of life and fruit ) and low saturated fat/sugar ( Baricevic, 2007 ) . The AIHW ( 2010 ) suggests that the most appropriate method of intervention is ab initio through diet and exercising, come oning merely subsequently to medicine. Diabetes medicine chiefly acts to assist modulate the blood glucose degrees. Given that with this status insulin is unable to efficaciously map, it becomes of import to hold a manner to modulate blood sugar. The normal scope is 3.5-6 mmol/L prior to repasts and 3.5-8mmol/L straight afterwards ( DA Victoria, 2002 ) . Glucose direction is really of import to maintain the hazard of cardiovascular disease down, and without ordinance the individual may endure from hypo/hyperglycemia. That said, Ramlo-Halsted & A ; Edelman ( 1999 ) point out that the â€Å" optimum regimen peculiarly for medicine will alter for each person as the status progresses. † There are two different options for medication-tablets or insulin injections. The tablets are taken orally and diminish the release of stored glucose in the liver, maintaining blood sugar degrees down. In contrast, insulin injections come in the signifier of a needle ( syringe ) or a pen and are used when the pancreas is unable to bring forth the needed sums of insulin ( Baricevic, 2007 ) . Diabetess, as with many wellness conditions, requires a multi-disciplinary squad for successful intervention and direction. Diabetes Management in General Practise ( 2009 ) describes the functions of at least eight different squad members in the intervention of diabetes. These include: General practician Exercise specializer ( normally a physical therapist ) Chiropodist Optometrist Oral wellness professional Diabetess educator ( nurses etc ) Dietician Endocrinologist/diabetologist Whilst non all of these wellness professionals will needfully be involved in every person ‘s intervention, the squad ‘s cooperation is critical for long-run intervention. To assist with single intervention of diabetes, the Australian Government has established the National Diabetes Services Scheme ( NDSS ) . The plan has in surplus of 900 000 registered people with diabetes and is go oning to turn. There are several cardinal elements of the strategy with subsidized merchandises and information every bit good as instruction. Through this plan, there are 2200 mercantile establishments which supply discounted merchandises for intervention to the registrants. Whilst intervention is really common, alongside it is an extended direction program. DA Victoria ( 2002 ) describes several facets to proper direction. Aside from being physically active and eating good as antecedently mentioned, it is preferred for a diabetic to associate up with a local support squad for aid, support and to keep a positive attitude. Additionally proving blood glucose on a regular basis and medicating suitably as prescribed is besides of import. Diabetes Management in General Practise ( 2009 ) besides emphasises the demand to discontinue smoke ( if applicable ) , have less than two standard drinks per twenty-four hours and guarantee BMI ( organic structure mass index ) in less than 25 to accomplish general well-being. Hawley & A ; Zierath ( 2008 ) besides outline the importance of understating the hazards and effects of complications. They province that this can be achieved through commanding glycaemia, blood force per unit area and lipid degrees ; in concurrence with regular wellness cheques ( concentrating on oculus, kidney and pes jobs ) .Section 4Prevention of diabetes is an absolute precedence particularly when over 60 % of type 2 instances are preventable. With diabetes being the 7th prima cause of decease in Australia ( AIHW, 2010 ) , there is no inquiry why the Australian Government has made the status a national wellness precedence. Harmonizing to Weeson ( 2000 ) , â€Å" upstream † intervention by primary wellness professionals should be the focal point of all attacks. These upstream factors include______________ . Simple stairss can easy assist prevent or detain the oncoming of diabetes ( Type 2 Diabetes, 2011 ) through implementing a healthy life style. Diabetes Australia encourages persons to keep a healthy weight, take part in regular physical activity, eat healthy nutrient, manage blood pressure/cholesterol and non smoke, to diminish the oncoming of the status ( Type 2 Diabetes, 2011 ) . There is a really strong nexus between physical activity and diabetes every bit antecedently mentioned, nevertheless it should benoted that engagement in a moderate or sooner alert walking regimen can diminish the incidence of diabetes by 30 % ( Jeon, Lokken, & A ; van Dam, 2007 ) . Furthermore Jeon, Lokken & A ; van Dam ( 2007 ) describe this strong relationship stating that there is besides a nexus between the sum of physical activity and the decrease of risk-an astonishing 58 % lessening in the incidence of prediabetes can be achieved through exercising antecedently stated. Zimmet ( 2000 ) emphasises that diabetes can non be stooped by traditional medical attacks. Given the graduated table and outrageousness of the issue, he contends that drastic socioeconomic and cultural position alterations are required to do advancement. Zimmet ( 2000 ) says that international diabetes and public wellness administration need to buttonhole and call up politicians and non-government bureaus. Through this, the issues doing the pandemic ( socioeconomic, behavioral, nutritionary and public wellness ) can be addressed. A multi-disciplinary undertaking force is suggested to help in the reversal of the socioeconomic issues, as Zimmet feels that persons entirely moving to alter will non do a large adequate difference ( Zimmet, 2000 ) . The National Evidence Based Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes ( Colagiuri, Girgis, Gomez, Walker, Colagiuri, & A ; O'Dea, 2009 ) depict four cardinal countries to making effectual preventive action for diabetes. These include: â€Å" Having a strong theoretic base for the plan † â€Å" Planing the plan with clear messages, integrating a many-sided attack to present these messages † â€Å" Encouraging household engagement † â€Å" Intensive and sustained run over a long continuance † The guidelines besides discuss the aspects within the broader community that should be targeted for bar of the status. One of the cardinal elements to efficaciously aiming the population is instruction ( Colagiuri, Girgis, Gomez, Walker, Colagiuri, & A ; O'Dea, 2009 ) . Through media, the guidelines propose that the instruction can alter attitudes every bit good as degrees of cognition. This can hold a peculiarly profound impact on the short term addition in physical activity. This was seen in the ‘Life be in it'___________ In footings of bar for persons, the guidelines besides provided several points specifically aiming those in the hazard groups. The guidelines ( Colagiuri, Girgis, Gomez, Walker, Colagiuri, & A ; O'Dea, 2009 ) specify persons at peculiar hazard as holding a mark greater than or equal to 15 on the AUSDRISK hazard appraisal tool. There are three degrees of action to forestall the oncoming of diabetes. Initially lifestyle alterations such as weight direction, come oning to pharmacological intercessions where necessary and in instances with terrible hazard bariatric surgery may be considered. Fostering the intervention dietetic considerations antecedently mentioned, in order to forestall diabetes sugar-sweetened drinks have been identified with fast nutrient as points that pose the largest menace of bring oning diabetes ( Hu, new wave Dam, & A ; Liu, 2001 ) . Fish oil and polyunsaturated fats have besides been proven to assist with the bar of the status. Other -conversion from high hazard to low hazard life style = moderate manner Physical therapists play a big function peculiarly in the intervention, but besides the bar of diabetes. Ozdirenc, Kocak & A ; Gutekin ( 2004 ) highlighted the importance of physical therapy in the accurate prescription of exercising. They suggested that any exercising prescribed in the involvement of diminishing complication with diabetes or forestalling it should be undertaken at 65-75 % of a individual ‘s VOa‚‚ soap and emphasised the necessity of a professional in such prescription. Harmonizing to their survey, physical exercising can take to a important lessening in physical damage and supply betterments to functional restrictions that the individual had suffered. In contrast, they determined that low degrees of activity caused a reduced cardio respiratory capacity and hence lessened ability to walk longer distances. These effects of inaction excessively have the possible to be improved through the execution of a physical activity government ( Ozdirenc, Kocak, & A ; Gutekin, 2004 ) . Physical therapists besides play an of import function in the bar of diabetes through instruction and public wellness publicity. At an single degree such professionals can assist their clients who are identified as being at hazard ( of diabetes ) to do behavioral alterations to decrease their personal hazards. In add-on to this, physiotherapists can assist their patients with diabetes develop an exercising plan to assistance in weight loss and bettering their future forecast. At a broader degree physical therapists can be involved in policy development and other consciousness runs. For illustration the National Physical Activity Guidelines require experts and other professional ‘s inputs to develop plans with the cardinal elements antecedently mentioned such as strong theoretical bases. Decision -prevention must be a cardinal focal point given that – † a status that is extremely conformable to primary intercession †

Technology and Health Play

As of today, technology plays a vital role in almost every aspect of human existence. In the same way, this research paper treats technology as a vital part of the full swing implementation of health information systems as the new way of addressing and managing health issues. Information systems by elementary definition is the integration of technology based components that is used for the collection, storage, processing and communication (transmission) of information (Britannica, 2010, p. n.pag.). This research paper integrates the same meaning in its discussions regarding the policy planning and implementation of information systems in the field of health. More particularly, this research paper strives to explain the Public Health Informatics Institute policy issues through its extensive discussions of information systems.The World Health Organization (WHO) stresses that the integration of information systems in health care profits many individuals. Even if the full swing use of in formation systems in health care is still far from being realized, most health institutions such as the WHO deem that the creation of health information systems will make the identification, addressing and implementation of health policies comparatively easier. Addressing endemic health problems can be more efficient, even before an outbreak is declared due to the simultaneous monitoring capabilities of health information systems (Eldis.org, 2010, p. n.pag.).Information systems allow performance data to be easily disseminated to communities and individuals allowing the creation of a more timely consciousness regarding health issues (Eldis.org, 2010, p. 1). The data from the information systems can be treated as the evidence base of health policy making; the precision of data in information systems allows policymakers to determine the issues needed to be addressed (Eldis.org, 2010, p. 1). Finally, information systems empower health institutions’ customers with the accountabili ty of their health institutions by making their transactions recorded and managed (Eldis.org, 2010, p. 1).The advantages projected with the blooming of health information systems can easily move health institutions to integrate their operations to information systems. However, such decisions cannot be easily made without a preliminary assessment of the current health industry’s policies and structures. The technological bias of health information systems creates a completely new dimension for the health care industry. Due to this, health institutions such as PHII oblige themselves to assess not only the practicability of such systems but also its feasibility to start with.PHII pushes for the issue of integrating information systems to the health industry by integrating it on existing health structures such as immunization registries. The integration of immunization registries to information systems insures that the registry will be efficiently managed without compromising the needed confidentiality of the population-based data of the registry (Saarlas, Edwards, Wild, & Richmond, 2003, p. 47).The policies of many health institutions toward health information systems are founded in the premises set by population based data such as immunization registries. The massive information needed to address even the smallest health problems can be found in population based health information (Hinman & Ross, 2010, p. n.pag.). In line with this, PHII pushes forth the integration of information systems in the health structure of immunization registries to insure that the structure can function at its optimum level. The new features of information systems are seen by PHII as the needed essentials to take the health care industry into a more efficient and accountable state. Conclusively, the integration of immunization registries is a start but not the end of the bloom of health information systems.BibliographyBritannica. (2010). Science and Technology: Information Syste ms. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from www.britannica.com: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/287895/information-systemEldis.org. (2010). Health management information systems. Retrieved August 4, 2010, from www.eldis.org: www.eldis.org/healthsystems/hmis/index.htmHinman, A. R., & Ross, D. A. (2010). Immunization Registries Can Be the Building Blocks for National Health Information Systems. Retrieved August 3, 2010, from www.phii.org: http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/29/4/676?ijkey=GH9RmlBCqfpKA&keytype=ref&siteid=healthaffSaarlas, K. N., Edwards, K., Wild, E., & Richmond, P. (2003). Developing Performance Measures for Immunization Registries. Public Health Management Practice , 47-57.

Self Regulated Learning Essay Example

Self Regulated Learning Essay Example Self Regulated Learning Essay Self Regulated Learning Essay Learning Self-regulated learning can be defined as The process in which [a] student is cognitively, motivationally, and behaviorally active in his or her learning. (Zimmerman and Martinez-pond). While this concept is relatively new, many students have embraced it over the last few decades resulting in their success. I am one of those many students that embrace this concept; some aspects stronger than the others. Planning and organizing not only play a major role in my life as a student, but in my life in general. Though I often lack the confidence to ask questions hat provide a more thorough understanding of what I am trying to learn, the one aspect of my learning I can control is my learning environment. Being a non- traditional student with a full time Job can be as hard as a rock. It means I must plan and organize every moment of my day. When I have places to be, for example class, I calculate driving times and when I will be there. This planning measure provides me with a better perspective of what I will be able to accomplish before having to leave work. Along with scheduling, budgeting is another very Important priority. I calculate the cost of everything down to the last dollar. Being a college student, I have to continuously recalculate my budgets. For example, after completing my core requirements at Northeast State, I will be transferring to TEST to finish up my bachelors degree. When looking at the tuition and fees of TEST, according to the 2009-2010 TEST student handbook, a student could expect to pay $189 per [credit] hour not Including fees (undergraduate fees). In comparison, a student attending in the fall of 2014, they can expect to pay $263 per [credit] hour not including fees (undergraduate fees). That Is almost a 40% tuition Increase, which Is a cough pill to swallow. By arming myself with this knowledge I can plan and expect to Incur higher tuition fees by the time I transfer to finish my degree. I know It wont be as cheap as dirt, so I must plan to save where I can. By being as organized as a filing cabinet, I have the ability to plan the things I need to accomplish and organize my time and material so I can accomplish many things on time and correctly to work In the most efficient manner possible. When I was younger and In grade school Just Like In todays society kids were very mean. I wasnt a bad student or a slow reader, UT I had distinctive features, such as being as tall as a giraffe. Because I was taller than the majority of my classmates: I stood out. I was for many unkind comments. Because of that my confidence suffered. I do not Like to stand out for the fear of being Judged or degraded. It makes me as nervous as a cat In a room full of rocking chairs. Because of this lack of confidence my education sometimes suffers. If I dont understand the material or the concept being covered In class, I have a tendency to apply my own Interpretation versus asking the Instructor, which will not help me to master the material I desire to. One thing wealth my control Is my learning environment. Depending on what I am working on and what I need to accomplish, will determine what kind of learning environment I would require. If given an essay to complete, Just about anywhere can be my learning environment: If I am In my quiet environment, so I can concentrate and really hear what I am saying. When it comes to studying, I must have a somewhat quiet environment, not necessarily as quiet as a church mouse, Just somewhat quiet. While at home I have a designated study area where my husband knows if I am in there it is a do not disturb time. I have also found that very light and quiet classical music can help me to absorb the information I am reading. Just as every student is different, so are his or her their learning methods. I know for myself that planning and organizing helps me to see what needs and must be accomplished. I may not be comfortable enough to ask questions to better understand something I am trying to learn; I can however control my learning environment and the distractions that interfere. By practicing and using all the elements of self-regulated learning, I am confident I will be successful in my education.

Posters Of The 1890S Essays - Modern Art, French Art, Edwardian Era

Posters Of The 1890'S Essays - Modern Art, French Art, Edwardian Era Posters Of The 1890'S The 1890's was the beginning of the first poster graphics. Not only have these posters been seen as advertisements but they are also looked upon as works of art. Two excellent examples of different work done during this period are Alphonse Mucha's Lorenzaccio (1898) and Henri Toulouse- Lautrec's Jardin de Paris (1893). Each poster is equally exquisite in it's line, style, color, composition, and perspective. Alphonse Mucha was born in 1860 and traveled to Paris in 1890. He designed posters in the fashionable Byzantine style of ornamentation. In Mucha's Lorenzaccio this can clearly be seen. The poster is a cropped image in the vertical pillar style with elaborate ornamentation through out. There is written word on the top and bottom as typical of many of his works. By the writing around the figure we can see that the poster was intended to be made for Sarah Bernhardt. The poster exhibits intricate, flowing line with sharp outlines. The active, curvilinear line dominates the picture. It's dramatic, decorative design can be seen through the dragon that looks straight into our eyes. There are distinct monochromatic colors of green, brown and red. Lorenzaccio is a heavily detailed, two dimensional poster with no middle ground. The subject is off in thought in the poster. The clothing she is wearing particularly adds to the active line. The background is extremely decorative. Altogether the poster is created with a compartmentalized composition. I would characterize Mucha's work in the Art Nouveau style because of his use of decorative style with simplified forms. His sharp, curvilinear line; full color tones, and Cloisonisme composition add to the stylistic qualities. However, I believe that Henri Toulouse- Lautrec's Jardin de Paris is especially well designed as the use of a poster and work of art. I prefer this poster better because of its different approach to advertising in a clear, eye catching way, and its use of distortion for effect. Much of Lautrec's style comes from Cheret from the English Arts and Crafts movement. The impact of Lautrec's work can also be seen through other artists as Pablo Picasso in his The Blue Room (1901). His subject, which he used many times in his work, is Jane Avril. In this poster we see her as the orchestra member would. Lautrec creates her as a broad silhouette with a face that looks tired and unhappy. Jardin de Paris is unique in that the flowing form of the orchestra member brings us up to the picture where the distinct color is used on the dancer. Lautrec uses bright red and yellow to accentuate her, and uses gray and black for the rest of the composition. He uses simplified forms with distinct, dark outlines. In this work, like Mucha's, there are two dimensional, Cloisonisme qualities created in a vertical pillar form. The asymmetrical objects help to create the foreground/ background qualities. The instrument works as a carrier for our eyes to move back and forth from the foreground and background. The orchestra member also creates an exiting picture frame around Jane Avril. The use of angular lines draw the viewers eye to and fro. This can be seen in the angle of the instrument, the backstage, and particularly how the dancer's is bent. Altogether this is a very bold and striking work. I believe Jardin de Paris to be from the English Arts and Crafts movement because of its emphasis on flat figures, simplified forms and sharp outlines. Both posters exhibit stylistic qualities from both the English Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau and a little Japonisme.

Definition and Example of a Markov Transition Matrix

Definition and Example of a Markov Transition Matrix A Markov transition matrix is a square matrix describing the probabilities of moving from one state to another in a dynamic system. In each row are the probabilities of moving from the state represented by that row, to the other states. Thus the rows of a Markov transition matrix each add to one. Sometimes such a matrix is denoted something like Q(x | x) which can be understood this way: that Q is a matrix, x is the existing state, x is a possible future state, and for any x and x in the model, the probability of going to x given that the existing state is x, are in Q. Terms Related to Markov Transition Matrix Markov ProcessMarkov StrategyMarkovs Inequality Resources on Markov Transition Matrix What is Econometrics?How to Do a Painless Econometrics ProjectEconometrics Term Paper Suggestions Writing a Term Paper or High School / College Essay? Here are a few starting points for research on Markov Transition Matrix: Journal Articles on Markov Transition Matrix Estimating the Second Largest Eigenvalue of a Markov Transition MatrixEstimating a Markov Transition Matrix from Observational DataConvergence across Chinese provinces: An analysis using Markov transition matrix

Supporting viewpoint of employee privacy rights in the workplace Essay

Supporting viewpoint of employee privacy rights in the workplace - Essay Example Moreover, the law tends to favor the employers in litigation, viewing the network and communication devices as the property of the employers (Burnette and Rickman, 2004; Twarog, 2005). Also, employers need to collect data on employers to ensure that their potential and current employees are able to perform their jobs safely and honestly (Quann, 1992). Drug and alcohol abuses by employees would compromise safety and expose the employers to liabilities (Quann, 1992). Dishonest employees might use the company electronic mails for their personal and private use during office hours (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). This will reduce productivity (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). On the other hand, employees too have their rights. Employers can only control them in work related areas. When employers cross the line, they risk infringing employee privacy rights (Quann, 1992). The law favors the employees in such cases. For example, a railroad was slapped with $485,000 in damages for terminating a computer operator on grounds of her refusing to undergo a random drug test (Quann, 1992). The court ruled that the job of a computer operator is "not safety related" and therefore not a business necessity (Quann, 1992). Aside from facing potential costs in damages, employee productivity will also drop if they feel that their dignity have been violated (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). Also, the case for monitoring employees' use of electronic resources is productivity. On the contrary, some scholars claim that monitoring the use of electronic resources by employees is counterproductive (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). The protection of employee privacy rights by allowing them to surf the Internet occasionally without monitoring them can increase employee morale, productivity, and loyalty (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). On the contrary, studies have shown that morale and productivity drop when employers monitor employees' use of electronic resources (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). The drop in morale and productivity is heightened in times of emergency (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). Worse still, the stress of knowing that Internet and electronic mails usage are monitored might lead to higher turnover (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). A high turnover of employees could increase costs in finding replacements for the resigning employees, training the new employees, and decreased p roductivity while the new employees pick up the job (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). Also, the protection of employee privacy rights is important for multinational companies (Frauenheim, 2006). Although U.S. law is relatively silent on this subject, employee privacy rights are well governed by the law in other countries such as in Europe (Frauenheim, 2006). Regulations exist on the type of data employers can gather about their employees, the rights employees have with regards to the data, and the transfer of the data to other parts of the world (Frauenheim, 2006). Moreover, performance evaluation and appraisal might not reflect the true value of the employees to the organization when monitoring employees (Burnette and Rickman, 2004). Surely, inaccurate performance evaluation does not lead to business success. Furthermore, a breach of employee information could be damaging to an organization's reputation (Frauenheim, 2006), which is at odds with

Compare and contrast the critiques and solutions proposed by the Essay

Compare and contrast the critiques and solutions proposed by the reformers of the progressive Era to those of the New Deal Era to the problems posed by political and economic inequity - Essay Example The drift toward direct democracy throughout the period, allowed women to vote, professionalized rule, allowed voters more voice in selecting and evoking political officials, and even the freedom to vote in referenda on explicit matters. Similarly, the new deal era happened when America was facing one of its darkest moments in history. This is the period when president Franklin Delano Roosevelt, inherited a government that needed serious intervention on one of the most difficult and critical periods of American history. The economy was in total subside, unemployment rose to 30%, inflation skyrocketed, and GDP fell by 50%. This period was referred to as the Great depression, and it reached its peak in 1933. This was there Roosevelt took over office and people anticipated fast answers from him. To react to the people’s expectations, he and the FDR called an emergency session for congress and drafted the new deal legislation the first weekend of his inauguration (Gordon, 221). After America overcame the 1890s depression, the economy embarked upon an epoch of relatively swift growth. The growth was outstanding although blemished by infrequent downturns (Polenberg, 9). The lasting in industry continued to decrease the farm share of employment while attracting numerous new migrants into the mines ad industries in America. This growth in commerce also was allied with speed development in the dimension of manufacturing enterprises. Economic intensification and shifts in the organization of the economy often gave rise to new difficulties. Every downturn revived the fears of the repeat of the ruthlessness of the Depression of the 1890s thus resulting for people advocating for better techniques these recessions and assist those affected by the outcomes. Conversely, during the new deal era legislations were formulated to address issues dealing with

How can the concept of customer orientation be translated into Essay

How can the concept of customer orientation be translated into e-commerce site design - Essay Example Organizations should ensure that satisfying customer needs and expectations becomes a priority (Kahawatte, 2010, p. 4). Communication is a crucial aspect that contributes to customer satisfaction, as it is possible to get feedback from the clients. This essay discusses how customer-orientation can utilized in an e-commerce set up. The increased accessibility of Internet access has led to the increased demand for e-commerce in a broadened customer base. Most of the local websites are designed to address the major population, not considering the individual customers. Therefore, this leads to poor utilization of e-commerce applications resulting in reduced profits (Senarathna, et al., 2010, p. 56). E- Commerce has increasingly grown even after the collapse of the dot-com era. E- Commerce developers and researchers have become more focused and cautious on the customer’s requirements and needs, as well as customer differentiation. This customer-oriented technique has led to redefining business practices and processes placing the consumer at the center. Customer behavior is determined by factors such as presentation styles, use of colors, use of language, familiarity with business processes, trust, and acceptance presented by the website. A successful E-Commerce system should incorporate social and cultural differentiation (Herhausen, 2011, p. 130). A customer behavior is influenced and affected cultural and social environment. These factors are essential to the success of E-Commerce application. The social-cultural features that should be examined for an E- Commerce application includes demographics, legal characteristics, and social characteristics (Huemer & Lops, 2012, p. 220). In regards to demographics, human behavior differs according to age and gender. Demographic affects the E-Commerce system performance and design. The project manager and the engineer must design the E-Commerce application in consideration of the targeted population. In

Multi-channel Hybrid System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Multi-channel Hybrid System - Essay Example "The multi-channel approach expands distribution and allows the marketer to reach a wider market." ("Principles") In addition, a wider market provides more room for the company to explore the consumer needs and cater to a wide variety of customers, hence a wider distribution of products. Thus, the possibility having a sustainable market is higher. Both the local and the global markets are segmented. The needs of each segment in the market are differentiated; therefore an equal need in addressing these needs require different strategies as well as individual channels of product distribution. Concentrating with only one channel limits the market range that the company or the business may be able to cater. Customer needs and wants continue to change over time. In the most recent years, market trends has put more emphasis on delivering to the customers the products with superior quality as well as the superior services that the suppliers could offer. Moreover, a consistent delivery of high-quality products and services must be tracked down all the time, as well as analyzed, in order to become responsive to the constantly changing needs in the market. Suppliers are required to be market-oriented to become familiar with the newest marketing trends in order to remain competitive. However, market orientation does not stop in the company's awareness of the trends in the market. They need to acquire the organization-wide generation of market intelligence, its appropriate dissemination strategies across various departments, and the proper response to these new trends in the market. (cited in Jaworski & Kohli, 1993) Multi-channel/Hybrid System as a Distribution Strategy The needs of the consumers constantly changes through time. As a result, the question of whether a company should use a single-channel strategy or a multiple-channel strategy is no longer a question that needs to be answered. The markets in the future are expected to have a mix of different channels that would need to be explored by the companies in order to attain global competitiveness. The customers' increasing preferences of different channels when searching and buying products or services that depend on their characteristics, the nature of the product they buy and the transaction process are just two of the reasons of the consumers' preferences of having a multiple channel of marketing and distribution. (cited in Schijns & Groenewoud, 2002) The increasing technological developments at the same time are deemed as the reasons for this growing multi-channel distribution strategy in the market. These technological advancements offer the suppliers the opportunity to meet the preferred channel of the customers wherein it would be comfortable with him. (cited in Schijns & Groenewoud, 2002)There are, however, other distribution channels that need to be further explored by the suppliers in order to meet the demands of the customers. These consumer trends, along with the technological innovations, contribute to the decision-making of the companies with regards to the use of multi-channel or hybrid distribution that would increase production and distribution, that will eventually lead them to global competitiveness. Businesses and companies' need to add more channels are brought about by competitive pressures in the market. In the event that they refuse to accept this new trend in the market - attempting not to utilize new channels - the risk of

Energy in American History Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Energy in American History - Essay Example Coal was seen to be economical in the production of steel and iron. The first half of the 19th century energy consumption in America grew significantly in major sectors (Altomonte and Coviello 37). However, after the Second World War, coal began being replaced by petroleum. The coal used in the locomotives was replaced by diesel and gasoline. Coal was increasingly viewed as unsafe and expensive with regard to labor. However, the use of coal in the production of electricity caused coal to remain relevant (Williams 412). At the same time, natural gas and petroleum became the predominant sources of energy in the energy consuming American society (Altomonte and Coviello 37). During the depression, the consumption of petroleum began to rise. This was accelerated by the oil embargoes in 1973. The Europeans played a crucial role in transforming the American natural resources into commodities. According to research, early America was considered to be in a misconception for extremely dependin g on farming. However, the industrial revolution brought a new approach into the American households. This marked the rise of free market and challenged the ancient sources on energy. In the nineteenth century, steam power was introduced. The new concept interlinked technological risks, factory development and energy consumption to ethnicity. ... This marked the beginning of high energy consumption levels in America (Smith 59). According to Nye, the discovery of electricity energized the popular culture. The energy needs of the society rose significantly and the culture of consumption gained momentum. The American society had an assumption that energy supply was surplus (Williams 412). This explains the majority in the American society failed to understand the energy crises in 1970. Research shows that Americans did not associate the energy shortage with the levels of energy consumption and throwaway attitude. However, production and consumption was reconfigured when the computer was embraced (Smith 59). Most of the Americans thought a computer was an energy controlling tool. The quest to explore new sources of energy became a strong social construction. The electricity and automobile had a transformative impact on the society (Altomonte and Coviello 37). The high energy use in America was associated to Americans’ hope s for unlimited energy in a liberal and consumer economy (Altomonte and Coviello 37). Americans believed in self-reliant individualism. The effects of pollution on human health in America have caused the American government to rethink the energy sources. The impacts of greenhouse gases on global warming have caused America to reduce the traditional sources of energy. This is happening through the energy regulation controls and improved technology (Williams 412). There has been a push for America to reduce its dependence on petroleum and natural gas (Smith 59). Moreover, there have been proposals on carbon taxes which might have an impact on the American economy. However, the levels of energy consumption in America have

Multi-channel Hybrid System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Multi-channel Hybrid System - Essay Example "The multi-channel approach expands distribution and allows the marketer to reach a wider market." ("Principles") In addition, a wider market provides more room for the company to explore the consumer needs and cater to a wide variety of customers, hence a wider distribution of products. Thus, the possibility having a sustainable market is higher. Both the local and the global markets are segmented. The needs of each segment in the market are differentiated; therefore an equal need in addressing these needs require different strategies as well as individual channels of product distribution. Concentrating with only one channel limits the market range that the company or the business may be able to cater. Customer needs and wants continue to change over time. In the most recent years, market trends has put more emphasis on delivering to the customers the products with superior quality as well as the superior services that the suppliers could offer. Moreover, a consistent delivery of high-quality products and services must be tracked down all the time, as well as analyzed, in order to become responsive to the constantly changing needs in the market. Suppliers are required to be market-oriented to become familiar with the newest marketing trends in order to remain competitive. However, market orientation does not stop in the company's awareness of the trends in the market. They need to acquire the organization-wide generation of market intelligence, its appropriate dissemination strategies across various departments, and the proper response to these new trends in the market. (cited in Jaworski & Kohli, 1993) Multi-channel/Hybrid System as a Distribution Strategy The needs of the consumers constantly changes through time. As a result, the question of whether a company should use a single-channel strategy or a multiple-channel strategy is no longer a question that needs to be answered. The markets in the future are expected to have a mix of different channels that would need to be explored by the companies in order to attain global competitiveness. The customers' increasing preferences of different channels when searching and buying products or services that depend on their characteristics, the nature of the product they buy and the transaction process are just two of the reasons of the consumers' preferences of having a multiple channel of marketing and distribution. (cited in Schijns & Groenewoud, 2002) The increasing technological developments at the same time are deemed as the reasons for this growing multi-channel distribution strategy in the market. These technological advancements offer the suppliers the opportunity to meet the preferred channel of the customers wherein it would be comfortable with him. (cited in Schijns & Groenewoud, 2002)There are, however, other distribution channels that need to be further explored by the suppliers in order to meet the demands of the customers. These consumer trends, along with the technological innovations, contribute to the decision-making of the companies with regards to the use of multi-channel or hybrid distribution that would increase production and distribution, that will eventually lead them to global competitiveness. Businesses and companies' need to add more channels are brought about by competitive pressures in the market. In the event that they refuse to accept this new trend in the market - attempting not to utilize new channels - the risk of

The State of Florida should raise the legal drivers age to 18 Essay

The State of Florida should raise the legal drivers age to 18 - Essay Example aged 16 years old at the time of the incidence made a grave mistake in his judgments: overloading the car with eight people, speeding, driving with near bald tires and overtaking another car full of fellow teen-agers (Driscoll 1). Dreadful tragedies involving young drivers have been reported from all the American states. It is quite clear that at ages eighteen and nineteen, there is a greater level of maturity and better judgments than at sixteen. In the year 2009, Justine Winter (while driving at 85mph) crashed a head on leading to a death of a mothers and her 13-year-old only son. On an interview in a TV show, winter says sorry to the family of the victims: 35-year-old, expectant Erin Thompson and Caden, her son (Daily Mail on Teenage Girl). She apologized saying she dint want to put them through any more pain than they had under gone through. Extending her apologies to her own family, she confirmed that her family went through a lot of pain because of the accident. Asked if she would take responsibility for the accident, she said she would although she clearly states that she cannot remember anything about the crash. Winter, who is the youngest inmate at 18, is serving a 15-year sentence at Montana Women’s Prison for the killings. The horrifying crash happened after winter fought with her boyfriend. They had a heated argument via text messages as she was driving. However winter and her lawyers insisted, it was a normal accident and not a suicide attempt. Winter, which was 16-years-older that time, suffered multiple injuries and had to under go several surgeries due to brain damage. Having been found guilty, of double homicide, she was jailed for 15 years. The prosecutor argued winter was carelessly driving, and she was not wearing a seatbelt. Erin Thompson’s family was praised by the judge who said their compassion and courage was remarkable. They only asked for apologies from the 18-year-old. At the moment, car crashes by the teenagers in the United

Prison Gangs Essay Example for Free

Prison Gangs Essay In our prison environments, there are many kinds of threats to inmate and officer safety daily. The correctional system in our country contains many gangs within the walls and connected to our streets. These groups, known as Security Threat Groups, are usually operated by race, and are active in our Federal Bureau of Prisons and in at least 40 state correctional systems. Inmates are pretty much forced to join their racial group or gang to ensure their personal safety while in prison. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, inmates were more racially twisted than ever before, and each race in a facility had a leader if not more than one. Inmates isolate themselves from other racial groups. While this was producing more racial tension in the environment, it was also producing Security Threat Group’s that were getting more organized and skilled at running the drug trade and social environments within the walls of the correctional facilities. Some of these gangs are more organized than others are, and produce the most followers. Because of organizational factors and growing numbers of members, the Aryan Brotherhood, Ku Klux Klan, the and MS-13 have emerged as our biggest security group threats in the American corrections system. The Aryan Brotherhood originated in San Quentin in the mid-sixties and was founded by Barry Mills and Tyler Bingham. This group is one of the best known gangs with many crews in our correctional facilities. The Aryan Brotherhood started to protect white inmates from black inmates during the time that the prisons were integrated. The Aryan Brotherhood is primarily located in the southwest and pacific areas of the country and is weakest in the northeastern areas where blacks are the strongest. The creed of the Brotherhood is, â€Å"I will stand by my brother. My brother will come before all others. My life is forfeited should I fail my brother. I will honor my brother in peace and war. † Members of the Brotherhood are lifetime members who commit to a blood in, blood out oath. This basically means that in order to get in you must kill an enemy and the only way to get out is to be killed. Most members support the white nationalist model, but crime is the real motivator and support for the group. The group, divided into two crews, operates both in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and at the state level. They operate in a fashion consistent with organized crime. Beginning as a local prison gang, the Aryan Brotherhood have grown into one of the most dangerous gangs in our prisons today, with ties to the Mexican Mafia, and Asian gangs originating in Thailand. These gang ties help fuel their growing narcotics trade. Members are expected to carry out these crimes within the walls and to continue the activities to further the interests of the group upon release. It would also seem that the Aryan Brotherhood has close ties to the non-prison security threat group the Ku Klux Klan due to the doctrinal similarities. The Ku Klux Klan was established by some ex-confederate soldiers in Pulaski, Tennessee in 1866. The groups name came from the Greek word kuklos, meaning â€Å"group or band,† and took the third as a variant of the word clan. The Klan started as a large recreational group and soon turned to intimidating the newly freed African Americans. While riding around at night, the Klan terrorized and sometimes murdered the ones that they were against. The members started to wear a hooded white costume, a disguise that represented the ghosts of the dead Confederates, to avoid being identified and to scare people during their raids. The Klan is the strongest in the South and in the Midwest. Today the KKK has been greatly weakened as their views have become more and more radical. They consider themselves a Christian organization and base their doctrines upon their own reading of the Bible. Their theology is strongly influenced by Christian Reconstructions they hope to reconstruct the United States along biblical lines and to establish a white-dominated theocracy. While MS-13 is one of our newer gang problems in the United States with MS 13 forming in the Los Angeles area in the mid 1980’s this security threat group is one of the biggest problems we face in our communities and correctional facilities today. They grew out of El Salvadorian immigrants that came together forming MS to protect themselves from other Latin gangs already present in Los Angeles. Later they aligned with the Mexican Mafia, La Eme, adding the 13 to note the allegiance to them. This gang operates out of 42 states, along with the District of Columbia. In the 1990’s, MS-13 came to law enforcements attention as they were targeting violent areas in Hispanic neighborhoods. When law enforcement deported the violent gang members, they took their gang to their home countries such as El Salvador, while spreading their ways into other Central American countries, Mexico, and furthering their following in the United States. Today they are known for their excessive use of violence and are considered to be the worst of the worst security threat group’s known for their adaptability where law enforcement operations are concerned. The hierarchy is based on status, which is based upon how many acts have been committed for the gang. There is no national leaders recognized, instead leadership is based on local leaders. Originally, all members were El Salvadoran nationality; however, they currently accept any Hispanic heritage in their ranks. Among the crimes these gangs have been charged with are murder, robbery, stabbings, drive by shootings, assault, sexual assault, rape, and extortion. They have also, been charged with witness tampering and intimidation crimes. One of the biggest concerns of law enforcement is that this is one of the fastest growing gangs today. Because of organizational factors and growing numbers of members, the Aryan Brotherhood, Ku Klux Klan, and MS13 have emerged as our biggest security group threats in the American corrections system. These groups have different ideologies and methods of operations, but they all have some similarities. These can be the fact that they are all either directly or indirectly affiliated with violence and drug trafficking, or that all believe that their way is the only right way. Law enforcement agencies have their work cut out for them, considering the rate of growth of some security threat group’s is large enough in some areas to cause the FBI to raise their threat assessment levels higher, as in the case of MS13.

Development of Environmentally Friendly Amphicar

Development of Environmentally Friendly Amphicar AMPHICAR II System Specifications 1 Statement of work Our team has aimed to produce an energy efficient, environmental friendly personal consumer vehicle that is capable of travelling on road and operating as a fun filled water vehicle. The project idea of AMPHICAR II is to introduce the vehicle to the public; the first prototype will be used in crossing in the English Channel, beating Richard Bransons record set in the Gibbs Aquada. The project background given by AdSing systems engineering, world leaders in revolutionary new system development, has undertaken the challenge of developing a state of the art amphibious vehicle for the consumer market. This is defined as the first phase of the project and the budget for this phase is $80000. This phase of the project will be completed in 30 days. After completion of the conceptual design of the AMPHICAR II project, it shall be placed as a proposal put forward by AdSing to independent sub-contractors for further iterations of the system development cycle. For the successful completion of this phase of the project, we will have guided by our tutor (Bill Daniels) who is the systems Engineering Expert. The requirements of the vehicle is achieved by incorporating safety features, capability of travelling on road and water, customer satisfaction, robust design, lower operational cost, and after all the project should be completed within the budget. IEEE 1220 standard specifies the system engineering process and it is primarily targeting our product (Amphicar) oriented system, which defines the inter-disciplinary tasks that are required to our project throughout the lifecycle to transform stakeholder (Customer)needs, requirements and constraints in to our product development. Therefore our group has emphasized to bring ideas in brainstorming session and initially conducted a assessment on potential customers before beginning the conceptual design. Here we have the conceptual design of the AMPHICAR project comprises of four different stages namely System engineering and management plan, Systems requirement specification, functional analysis allocations and final stage of system specification. The project planning in fact it refers to SEMP which includes statement of work, work schedule, cost analysis, product testing methods, program management, risk management, resources required, deliverables, etc., System requirements specification stage are identified based on the needs and the project requirements. Functional analysis allocation stage comprises with functional breakdown is done to determine the system physical design overview, functional analysis and component details. At the final stage of system specification, AMPHICAR II project undergoes evalu ation and final documentation. 2. Referenced documents AMPHICAR concept http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphicar Referred on 06/01/2010 The AMPHICAR Story http://books.google.com/books?id=C-PeNY12Ss8Cpg=PT12dq=Amphicar+designei=ZQlIS5ezBpv-lASmprT3DQcd=4#v=onepageq=Amphicar%20designf=false Referred on 07/012010 IEEE 1220 Standard readings http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.ezlibproxy1.unisa.edu.au/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=arnumber=1631953isnumber=34216 Referred on 09/01/2010 3. Work breakdown structure (this phase of the AMPHICAR project) 3.1 Schedule In fact we have 30days time from 8th January 2010 till 8th February 2010 to complete an attractive high level conceptual design of AMPHICAR II. The Systems specification preparation towards the Amphicar project will be worked in four different stages, under each stage the preparation compiled as draft and submitted through Assign IT on weekly basis. The weekly submission would ensure the timely completion of each stages include the project plan, system requirements specification and the functional analysis allocation and the final systems specification preparation of the AMPHICAR II project to be submitted. The complete details of the schedule can be seen in the Gantt chart on 1. The cost analysis and workout is also shown on Table 1. AMPHICAR II System Specifications 3.2 Cost Sl No. Planned Tasks Budget (S$) No. of hrs Actual Cost (S$) Balance (S$) System Engineering Management Plan 20000 7 days 17850 2150 1 Statement of work 4 500 19500 2 Referenced Documents 6 3000 16500 3 Work Breakdown Structure 3.1 Work Schedule 4 1000 15500 3.2 Cost 12 1500 14000 3.3 Product Testing Methods 15 3500 10500 4 Program Management 8 1750 8750 5 Risk Management 8 1500 7250 6 Resources Required 4 2000 5250 7 Deliverables 4 1250 4000 8 Organizational Structure 4 850 3150 9 Operational Concept 4 1000 2150 Total 20000 73 17850 2150 System Requirement Specification 24000 7 days 20500 3500 10 Scope 10.1 System Overview 6 1500 22500 11 Referenced Documents 5 1250 21250 12 Needs 12 4000 17250 13 Requirements 13.1 General Requirements 8 2000 15250 13.2 System Capability 12 2500 12750 13.3 Safety Requirements 8 2000 10750 13.4 Personnel Related Requirement 8 1750 9000 13.5 Security and Privacy Requirement 10 1500 7500 13.6 Logistics related requirement 12 2500 5000 13.7 Other Requirements 6 1500 3500 Total 24000 87 20500 3500 Table 1 continued†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Functional Analysis Allocation 24000 7days 18500 5500 14 Scope 14.1 System Overview 7 1750 22250 14.2 Document Overview 4 1000 21250 15 Referenced Documents 9 2250 19000 16 Functional Analysis 24 4000 15000 17 Physical Design Overview 24 6250 8750 18 Component Details 8 3250 5500 Total 24000 76 18500 5500 Final System Specification 12000 7 days 11250 1750 19 System Description 8 2000 11000 20 Operational Requirements 5 1500 9500 21 Operational Constraints 5 1500 8250 22 System Evaluation 16 3000 4250 23 Final Documentation 12 3250 1000 Total 13000 46 11250 1000 Final Total 80000 282 68100 11900 Table1. Cost Note * 1 day = 8hrs and 5days per week (Monday to Friday) 3.3. Product testing method Product testing method is one of the most important steps in bringing out of our conceptual design of AMPHICAR II Project, which demands the recognition in the future when the product shall complete and reached at the market. The final product here is the AMPHICAR which is capable of travelling both road and water. The intention of the product testing method is to Ensure that the conceptual design of the product meets the design standards for employability, consistency, and user friendliness towards its functionality. Ensure the design meets the business goals and user needs. Ensure the design does not permit any changes at the final stage of its requirements and concept Ensure the behaviour of the system can be easily understood by the design engineers. Make sure that the design provides proper guidance to the designers to resolve any issues that may arise. Make sure that the design shall not distract the copyright of other brand in the global market. Ensure that the design is properly employed by the design engineers which can be easily interacted by the users and other products. Ensure the physical design matches up with the initial art design Ensure the safety features incorporated in the product shall always be enabling and These reviews are carried out at different phases precisely Project plan, system requirement specification, functional analysis and allocation and final system specification. At the end of each and stage a discussion session is made where all the team members and the manager (who assess the detail of design from the sub-system level to the component level), are gathered to review their respective tasks in each phase and the ideas are taken for any necessary changes of any improvement that can be done for bringing the project successful. The assessed document upon the end of each discussion will be sent as a draft to the project who verifies and evaluates the design and make a note to the manager and the team members if changes that are required for the design improvement and further evaluates after getting his job done by the team and approve the design and promote to the next phase. Thus the design of the final system specification is drawn and reviewed by the project director and approve the design for its release 4. Program management Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions within a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, it helps to execute business strategies much more effectively than an uncoordinated approach. The program manager must possess operational competencies, including project management methods and tools, to effectively manage the tactical elements of the program. Another important aspect of this core discipline set is that of becoming proficient in the specific processes and practices of the company that the program manager is a part of. Knowing how things get done, the policies and procedures that must be adhered to and who must be involved and approve various aspects of their program are critical for the successful completion of every program. During the early stages of conceptual design, it is essential that good communication between the producer and the customer be established from the beginning. The Design Engineer must fully understand the user requirements of the product to be designed. This can be achieved only we have a good communication between users. The communication modes used are Teleconference, E-mails, Fax and formal meeting between the project team members and others. Meeting agenda ( 2a) will be formatted for all meetings and distributed to all members before one day. And minutes of meeting ( 2b) are drafted and distributed to all members to follow up. The primary objective of our program management plan is to facilitate the timely integration of numerous design considerations into a functioning and Physical system that will be of high value to the user. Our program management consists of SEMP which already Stated in Gantt chart (System Engineering Management Plan), Statement of work (SOW), Work break down structure, schedule of tasks, Projecting costs for program task and interfacing with other planning activities. Our project has mentioned a configuration management plan to track the changes done from the beginning to the final review. During the later stage of our conceptual design we shall develop a comprehensive system engineering management plan (SEMP) to ensure the implementation of a program that will lead to a well coordinated and integrated product. a program is to exploit economies of scale and to reduce coordination costs and risks. programs deliver outcomes, program management is concerned with doing the right projects according to this view, successful projects deliver on time, to budget and to specification, whereas successful program deliver long term improvements to an organization design of the new product this delivers a design specification, modifications to the production factory Program and project management are both practical disciplines, Program management also emphasizes the coordinating and prioritizing of resources across project. Program management may provide a layer above the management of projects and focuses on selecting the projects, defining us in terms of their objectives and prov iding an environment where projects can be run successfully. Our organizations use the concept of Systems engineering where others use program management, ensure there are regular reviews; there is accountability, and that management of projects, allocation of resources influences the cost and success of the program. Infrastructure might cover offices, version control, and IT. A project must always have a specific end date, else it is an ongoing program. A project is designed to deliver an output or deliverable and its success will be in terms of delivering the right output at the right time and to the right cost. Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions within a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, management includes management of projects which, together, improve the Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions wit hin a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, performance of the organization. A programs success will be measured in terms of benefits. Program Management comprises a comprehensive suite of services addressing the full program life cycle and implemented by dedicated and highly skilled team members. PMP (Project Management Professional Program management practices put a continual focus on the business aspects of developing products, services and infrastructure. A skilled and competent program manager is the primary business manager on a program. We have Projects Managers that are certified and have decades of experience applying project management techniques and disciplines to client engagements in all industries. During our conceptual design phase we have scheduled a series of formal design reviews at discrete points where the design configuration involves from one level of definition to another. That is conceptual system, evolutions and design reviews. The successful implementation of system engineering principles and concepts is dependent not only on the technology issues and the process, but on management issues as well. Our BLR Engineering prepared a program management plan comprising series review meeting, audits, approval from user, risk managements, and some essential contingency plans. This program management plan guides all over activities throughout the project. 5. Risk management Risk management can therefore be considered the identification of the potential areas of risk. It is a part of the requirements and design stages in a project. Our team of experienced engineers has gone through the assessment and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. One of the first steps of our risk management is the identification of the potential areas of risk. Risk shall include funding, schedule, and contract, relationships, political and technical. All of these hazardous shall be identified and evaluated and risk mitigation performed. Risk analysis should be performed as part of the risk management process for each project. Once a hazard identified as below, the steps of the risk managements process are as follows, Assess the current risk Define the acceptable level of the risk Decision on the response of the risk. Our risk management plan consists of four processes such as 1. Identification 2. Assessment 3. Analysis 4. Controls/Implementation 5. Responsibility As far as concerned about conceptual design process we may have these few types of risk only. Which are? 1. Technical Risk The possibility that technical requirement of the system will not be achieved. That is our design wont meets the system requirements adequately. We have planned to tackle such risk by remedial actions given in the table below 2. Schedule Risk The possibility that the project will fail to meet the scheduled milestones, such as those mentioned in our project plan. To tackle this issue we have identified possible cause and effects and of course the remedial actions to be taken respective 3. Cost Risk The possibility that the project will fail to meet the scheduled milestones and the cost of the project will go up and difficult to meet the budget. These are the probable risk that might be encountered and the contingency plan to overcome in the planning phase: Potential Risk 1 Difficulties in meeting up for our group member to discuss on the project due to different working schedule. Possible Solution to Risk1 Meeting to be done on every Saturday afternoon so the plans can be executed in the weekends before submitting the drafts. Ideally, meeting could also be schedule after 8 pm for a brief update on progress. Potential Risk 2 Group members have difficulties in meeting at convenient venue. Possible Solution to Risk2 Meeting can be done at any National Libraries or APMI campus when not only the environment is convenient for learning Potential Risk 3 Group member/s might fall sick and might not be able to meet for discussion. Possible Solution to Risk3 Work progress should be continually updated through email. Potential Risk 4 Group member/s may face problems in software incompatibility and in data sharing. Possible Solution to Risk4 Group member must work on common PC platform to avoid compatibility issues (e.g. one works on LINUX, and another one works on Mac Operating System and may result in unintended data corruption unable to read or edit documents. Better to work on common platform PC like Microsoft OFFICE and OpenProj for common means of compatibility. Any need of using unfamiliar program must be made known and shared so that each and everyone of the member can learn and use the new program. Potential Risk 5 Anyone of the Group member might encounter risk of data loss or corruption. Possible Solution to Risk5 Group member must regularly backup their data on their PC and must have a secondary means of backup (eg. Thumb drive or external hard drive). Seek advice from Mr. Bill Daniels through the discussion Board provided on course website. Initial Project Risk Assessment SNo Identify Hazard Hazard Assessment Causes Effects Implement / Controls Responsi- bility 1 Budget estimation unlikely 1. Substantial cost increase in the project 1. Source for more economical alternative to control spending. 2. Maintain strict accounting practice. Balaji 2 Unrealistic Projected timeline Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Bad image for team 3. Loss due to time delay Strict to the time frame set for the work schedule and Gantt chart. Balaji 3 Disruption to System Equipment Frequently 1. Loss of Equipment 2. Delay in project 1. Constant backup. 2. Escalate of any unusual encounter. Rakesh 4 Manpower management Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Overload of team member 1. Co-ordinate meeting regularly to delegate task and work discussion. 2. Meeting to be done on Saturday Lakshmanan 5 Group members have difficulties in meeting at convenient venue Likely 1. Delay in project 2. Substantial delay in all phases of the project Meeting can be done at any National Libraries or APMI campus when not only the environment is conducive for learning but laptop user could have access to internet wireless connection. Lakshmanan 6 Face problems in software incompatibility and in data sharing. Likely 1. Delay in document work 2. Delay in project Group member must work on common PC platform to avoid compatibility issues (e.g. one works on LINUX, and another one works on APPLE Operating System and may result in unintended data corruption unable to read or edit documents. Better to work on common platform PC like Microsoft OFFICE and OpenProj for common means of compatibility. Any need of using unfamiliar program must be made known and shared so that each and everyone of the member can learn and use the new program Rakesh 7 Group member might encounter risk of data loss or corruption. Likely 1. Loss of all details and documents. Group member must regularly backup their data on their PC and must have a secondary means of backup (e.g. Hard disk, Thumb drive). Rakesh 8 Vendor and Supplier co-ordination issue. Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Bad image for team 3. Loss due to time delay Plan early and have back-up resources in the event existing vendor meet constraint. Lakshmanan 9 Having doubt in preparing draft. Frequently 1. Delay in project Seek advice from Mr Bill Daniels through the discussion Board provided on course website. Balaji Lakshmanan Rakesh Table2. Initial Project Risk Assessment 6. Resources required Resources are also a very important in the course of a project development. Availability of the different kinds of resources must be used satisfactorily. It is critical to establish a credible schedule because the timing of activities not only depends on the logical dependencies between them, but also on the availability of the required resources. Our group member has used as many as facilities available to achieve the required satisfaction of the information. The resources we use to accomplish the goal of acquiring the conceptual design of an amphibious car are, Hardware I. Computer  § To work on the project report development II. Computer peripherals  § To copy the draft data.  § To print the draft copy for verification. Software III. Core University 5.0 by Vitech Corporation  § To have the breakdown of the requirements  § To display the conceptual design through Flow Functional Block Diagram and Hierarchy Application Packages IV. Microsoft Project Professional 2003  § To create schedule for the entire project plan  § To design the chart for the work task allocation  § Ensure the time limited for the task is look upon V. Microsoft Word  § To type the final specification report of the project Facilities VI. Internet media  § To gain access to the video media regarding amphibious vehicle such as you tube  § To search related information regarding amphibious vehicle  § To gain access to the related websites  § To have communication with the project supervisor  § To have a convenient place to discuss the project development matters  § The usage of this media is vastly great VII. Money/Time Funds  § To have food/refreshments for members attending discussion for the entire project plan  § Towards the expenses like photocopying, phone calls, printing / copying  § To have transport facilities  § To make free ourselves on the discussion planned days. 7 Deliverables For our projects deliverables are the stuff/function that can be the result for the task implementation, it consists of things or stuff such as presentation (MSPowerpoint Slideshows), documentation requirements, total design documentation etc. The documents as deliverables used here are namely the System Engineering Management Plan, System Requirement, Functional Analysis and Allocation, and Final System Specification. System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) This plan consists of the Scope of the Project, Work Breakdown Structure as Schedule, Cost and Product Testing method, Operation concept. It has to be executed in such a way to get the best result by assigning individual task to the respective team members thereby lead the project together with proper planning to bring the required outcome. System Requirements and Specifications (SRS) This emphasise the task that determines the needs for the product, users, designers, system and subsystems. It identifies the needs of each stakeholder. Functional Analysis and Allocation (FA A) This transforms the system level requirement into functions and analyse the behaviour of the system to get the desired result. And these functions are allocated into a physical design (component level). It can be seen in detail through Functional flow block diagram. Final system specification This document comprises all the above three documents which seeks approval from the Project director for the release of the design to Production. 8. Organisational structure We believe on team work, so at all phases the task has been evenly distributed to our team members according to their role. The process flow is as follows, getting the instruction from project director the task has been distributed to the Project Design engineer by the Project manager and also the whole project is monitored by the Project director. 9. Operational Concept The world is in needs of better and more effective and efficient vehicle that could save money, earth, resources and time of travelling which will be having the various good features when operates in both the environments. Keeping that in mind our Engineering team with the engineering skills would like to design an amphibious vehicle having capable of travelling both in road and water. i.e user friendly navigation system safety protection which will meet the customer needs as customer is mainly dependent on the effective and efficient transportation to commute in his day to day life. As the name goes, the designed Amphibious Car having the capability to travel both on land and on water promises to be more environmental friendly than any other amphibious car compared to existing or future market .The idea behind this is from the automobile researchers who have been done and many have succeeded but unable to market the vehicle as it still needs more work has to be done. Some engineers also did research beyond their imagination but some have succeeded and some are still a long way. The conceptual design of amphibious vehicle will be aimed to provide comfortable journey, trouble free service, energy efficient and environment friendly with Safety features for the customers and the features include well designed with double secured protection against water leak and corrosion of vehicles body parts by using the anti corrosive materials and fail safe controls , fuel efficient, operating at an economical way by giving good mileage and the vehicle would be engineered in way of reducing carbon dioxide emission and reducing pollution to Mother Nature as analysed by our expert engineers it would also benefit the market as a new breed of automobile needs many suitable workshop and fuel station. The vehicle has a robust designed in such a way it is very compatibility for both the conditions either it is in water or on the land. The vehicle will be operated as a boat when in water and navigation system made easy during high tides water currents and during windy seasons. The vehicle will be like normal cars when it operates on the road. The design of the bigger wheels will be providing a better ride in terrain, mud and snow and excellent traction capability with 4 gear power transmission and will provide excellent driving experience. The Vehicle will be designed to have a sportive external look. The look and feel of the designed vehicle is such that it would posses pleasant Interior colours , leg rooms spacious comfortable seatings and incorporating entertainment systems which ensures smooth and comfortable rides both on land and water. The vehicle would be cost effective under long run as the he vehicle has been designed in a way that would have less maintenance. The rugged a nd robust design assures reliability of the vehicle. The vehicle will equipped with a spare tyre and necessary tools. Our team has scheduled the conceptual design tasks and our expertise will fulfil every aspect of the customer requirement in terms of operational, maintenance and service needs and to make it big success in the market. 1. Scope 1.1 System overview Our project â€Å"Amphicar II† as the name suggests the vehicle is designed such that is viable both on land and water. It is a sports convertible full rear seat, well designed family size customer vehicle taking into account for the complete luxury as well as the safety of the customer. Customer can plan to drive right off a road or beach onto any lake or river as it is not only a luxurious car once on land but safely floats on water also because the bottom of the vehicle consists of rubber seals which forms a watertight seal. Some of the key design specification of the Amphicar II are: Its proficient 4 cylinder engine has 4 speed auto transmission forward speeds, Front wheels act as twin rudders for fast responsive handling, rear mounted for superior traction on the road, fitted with accelerator control system making the vehicle to run fuel economically both in road and water fitted with 2 rear lamps each and inbuilt side indicators, Speed O meter (digital) to display the ca rs speed, Coming to the functional aspect of the Amphicar II, once the doors are checked to be closed the customer can just drive into the water edge, and once when the car is into water, the customer is required to put land gear into neutral and then can use the facilities of the propeller or Amphibian jet by engaging it with the smaller stick which has three positions forward, neutral and reverse. Although virtually it is identical to the rest of the Amphibious vehicles, our Amphicar II distinct itself from other late models by having some of the technologies like heater placement, shock mountings, lower body lip and dash treatment and most importantly safety aspect is also considered like emergenc Development of Environmentally Friendly Amphicar Development of Environmentally Friendly Amphicar AMPHICAR II System Specifications 1 Statement of work Our team has aimed to produce an energy efficient, environmental friendly personal consumer vehicle that is capable of travelling on road and operating as a fun filled water vehicle. The project idea of AMPHICAR II is to introduce the vehicle to the public; the first prototype will be used in crossing in the English Channel, beating Richard Bransons record set in the Gibbs Aquada. The project background given by AdSing systems engineering, world leaders in revolutionary new system development, has undertaken the challenge of developing a state of the art amphibious vehicle for the consumer market. This is defined as the first phase of the project and the budget for this phase is $80000. This phase of the project will be completed in 30 days. After completion of the conceptual design of the AMPHICAR II project, it shall be placed as a proposal put forward by AdSing to independent sub-contractors for further iterations of the system development cycle. For the successful completion of this phase of the project, we will have guided by our tutor (Bill Daniels) who is the systems Engineering Expert. The requirements of the vehicle is achieved by incorporating safety features, capability of travelling on road and water, customer satisfaction, robust design, lower operational cost, and after all the project should be completed within the budget. IEEE 1220 standard specifies the system engineering process and it is primarily targeting our product (Amphicar) oriented system, which defines the inter-disciplinary tasks that are required to our project throughout the lifecycle to transform stakeholder (Customer)needs, requirements and constraints in to our product development. Therefore our group has emphasized to bring ideas in brainstorming session and initially conducted a assessment on potential customers before beginning the conceptual design. Here we have the conceptual design of the AMPHICAR project comprises of four different stages namely System engineering and management plan, Systems requirement specification, functional analysis allocations and final stage of system specification. The project planning in fact it refers to SEMP which includes statement of work, work schedule, cost analysis, product testing methods, program management, risk management, resources required, deliverables, etc., System requirements specification stage are identified based on the needs and the project requirements. Functional analysis allocation stage comprises with functional breakdown is done to determine the system physical design overview, functional analysis and component details. At the final stage of system specification, AMPHICAR II project undergoes evalu ation and final documentation. 2. Referenced documents AMPHICAR concept http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphicar Referred on 06/01/2010 The AMPHICAR Story http://books.google.com/books?id=C-PeNY12Ss8Cpg=PT12dq=Amphicar+designei=ZQlIS5ezBpv-lASmprT3DQcd=4#v=onepageq=Amphicar%20designf=false Referred on 07/012010 IEEE 1220 Standard readings http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.ezlibproxy1.unisa.edu.au/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=arnumber=1631953isnumber=34216 Referred on 09/01/2010 3. Work breakdown structure (this phase of the AMPHICAR project) 3.1 Schedule In fact we have 30days time from 8th January 2010 till 8th February 2010 to complete an attractive high level conceptual design of AMPHICAR II. The Systems specification preparation towards the Amphicar project will be worked in four different stages, under each stage the preparation compiled as draft and submitted through Assign IT on weekly basis. The weekly submission would ensure the timely completion of each stages include the project plan, system requirements specification and the functional analysis allocation and the final systems specification preparation of the AMPHICAR II project to be submitted. The complete details of the schedule can be seen in the Gantt chart on 1. The cost analysis and workout is also shown on Table 1. AMPHICAR II System Specifications 3.2 Cost Sl No. Planned Tasks Budget (S$) No. of hrs Actual Cost (S$) Balance (S$) System Engineering Management Plan 20000 7 days 17850 2150 1 Statement of work 4 500 19500 2 Referenced Documents 6 3000 16500 3 Work Breakdown Structure 3.1 Work Schedule 4 1000 15500 3.2 Cost 12 1500 14000 3.3 Product Testing Methods 15 3500 10500 4 Program Management 8 1750 8750 5 Risk Management 8 1500 7250 6 Resources Required 4 2000 5250 7 Deliverables 4 1250 4000 8 Organizational Structure 4 850 3150 9 Operational Concept 4 1000 2150 Total 20000 73 17850 2150 System Requirement Specification 24000 7 days 20500 3500 10 Scope 10.1 System Overview 6 1500 22500 11 Referenced Documents 5 1250 21250 12 Needs 12 4000 17250 13 Requirements 13.1 General Requirements 8 2000 15250 13.2 System Capability 12 2500 12750 13.3 Safety Requirements 8 2000 10750 13.4 Personnel Related Requirement 8 1750 9000 13.5 Security and Privacy Requirement 10 1500 7500 13.6 Logistics related requirement 12 2500 5000 13.7 Other Requirements 6 1500 3500 Total 24000 87 20500 3500 Table 1 continued†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Functional Analysis Allocation 24000 7days 18500 5500 14 Scope 14.1 System Overview 7 1750 22250 14.2 Document Overview 4 1000 21250 15 Referenced Documents 9 2250 19000 16 Functional Analysis 24 4000 15000 17 Physical Design Overview 24 6250 8750 18 Component Details 8 3250 5500 Total 24000 76 18500 5500 Final System Specification 12000 7 days 11250 1750 19 System Description 8 2000 11000 20 Operational Requirements 5 1500 9500 21 Operational Constraints 5 1500 8250 22 System Evaluation 16 3000 4250 23 Final Documentation 12 3250 1000 Total 13000 46 11250 1000 Final Total 80000 282 68100 11900 Table1. Cost Note * 1 day = 8hrs and 5days per week (Monday to Friday) 3.3. Product testing method Product testing method is one of the most important steps in bringing out of our conceptual design of AMPHICAR II Project, which demands the recognition in the future when the product shall complete and reached at the market. The final product here is the AMPHICAR which is capable of travelling both road and water. The intention of the product testing method is to Ensure that the conceptual design of the product meets the design standards for employability, consistency, and user friendliness towards its functionality. Ensure the design meets the business goals and user needs. Ensure the design does not permit any changes at the final stage of its requirements and concept Ensure the behaviour of the system can be easily understood by the design engineers. Make sure that the design provides proper guidance to the designers to resolve any issues that may arise. Make sure that the design shall not distract the copyright of other brand in the global market. Ensure that the design is properly employed by the design engineers which can be easily interacted by the users and other products. Ensure the physical design matches up with the initial art design Ensure the safety features incorporated in the product shall always be enabling and These reviews are carried out at different phases precisely Project plan, system requirement specification, functional analysis and allocation and final system specification. At the end of each and stage a discussion session is made where all the team members and the manager (who assess the detail of design from the sub-system level to the component level), are gathered to review their respective tasks in each phase and the ideas are taken for any necessary changes of any improvement that can be done for bringing the project successful. The assessed document upon the end of each discussion will be sent as a draft to the project who verifies and evaluates the design and make a note to the manager and the team members if changes that are required for the design improvement and further evaluates after getting his job done by the team and approve the design and promote to the next phase. Thus the design of the final system specification is drawn and reviewed by the project director and approve the design for its release 4. Program management Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions within a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, it helps to execute business strategies much more effectively than an uncoordinated approach. The program manager must possess operational competencies, including project management methods and tools, to effectively manage the tactical elements of the program. Another important aspect of this core discipline set is that of becoming proficient in the specific processes and practices of the company that the program manager is a part of. Knowing how things get done, the policies and procedures that must be adhered to and who must be involved and approve various aspects of their program are critical for the successful completion of every program. During the early stages of conceptual design, it is essential that good communication between the producer and the customer be established from the beginning. The Design Engineer must fully understand the user requirements of the product to be designed. This can be achieved only we have a good communication between users. The communication modes used are Teleconference, E-mails, Fax and formal meeting between the project team members and others. Meeting agenda ( 2a) will be formatted for all meetings and distributed to all members before one day. And minutes of meeting ( 2b) are drafted and distributed to all members to follow up. The primary objective of our program management plan is to facilitate the timely integration of numerous design considerations into a functioning and Physical system that will be of high value to the user. Our program management consists of SEMP which already Stated in Gantt chart (System Engineering Management Plan), Statement of work (SOW), Work break down structure, schedule of tasks, Projecting costs for program task and interfacing with other planning activities. Our project has mentioned a configuration management plan to track the changes done from the beginning to the final review. During the later stage of our conceptual design we shall develop a comprehensive system engineering management plan (SEMP) to ensure the implementation of a program that will lead to a well coordinated and integrated product. a program is to exploit economies of scale and to reduce coordination costs and risks. programs deliver outcomes, program management is concerned with doing the right projects according to this view, successful projects deliver on time, to budget and to specification, whereas successful program deliver long term improvements to an organization design of the new product this delivers a design specification, modifications to the production factory Program and project management are both practical disciplines, Program management also emphasizes the coordinating and prioritizing of resources across project. Program management may provide a layer above the management of projects and focuses on selecting the projects, defining us in terms of their objectives and prov iding an environment where projects can be run successfully. Our organizations use the concept of Systems engineering where others use program management, ensure there are regular reviews; there is accountability, and that management of projects, allocation of resources influences the cost and success of the program. Infrastructure might cover offices, version control, and IT. A project must always have a specific end date, else it is an ongoing program. A project is designed to deliver an output or deliverable and its success will be in terms of delivering the right output at the right time and to the right cost. Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions within a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, management includes management of projects which, together, improve the Program management is the mechanism by which the work of various operating functions wit hin a company is integrated to create an effective business model. When program management is properly conceived and executed, performance of the organization. A programs success will be measured in terms of benefits. Program Management comprises a comprehensive suite of services addressing the full program life cycle and implemented by dedicated and highly skilled team members. PMP (Project Management Professional Program management practices put a continual focus on the business aspects of developing products, services and infrastructure. A skilled and competent program manager is the primary business manager on a program. We have Projects Managers that are certified and have decades of experience applying project management techniques and disciplines to client engagements in all industries. During our conceptual design phase we have scheduled a series of formal design reviews at discrete points where the design configuration involves from one level of definition to another. That is conceptual system, evolutions and design reviews. The successful implementation of system engineering principles and concepts is dependent not only on the technology issues and the process, but on management issues as well. Our BLR Engineering prepared a program management plan comprising series review meeting, audits, approval from user, risk managements, and some essential contingency plans. This program management plan guides all over activities throughout the project. 5. Risk management Risk management can therefore be considered the identification of the potential areas of risk. It is a part of the requirements and design stages in a project. Our team of experienced engineers has gone through the assessment and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. One of the first steps of our risk management is the identification of the potential areas of risk. Risk shall include funding, schedule, and contract, relationships, political and technical. All of these hazardous shall be identified and evaluated and risk mitigation performed. Risk analysis should be performed as part of the risk management process for each project. Once a hazard identified as below, the steps of the risk managements process are as follows, Assess the current risk Define the acceptable level of the risk Decision on the response of the risk. Our risk management plan consists of four processes such as 1. Identification 2. Assessment 3. Analysis 4. Controls/Implementation 5. Responsibility As far as concerned about conceptual design process we may have these few types of risk only. Which are? 1. Technical Risk The possibility that technical requirement of the system will not be achieved. That is our design wont meets the system requirements adequately. We have planned to tackle such risk by remedial actions given in the table below 2. Schedule Risk The possibility that the project will fail to meet the scheduled milestones, such as those mentioned in our project plan. To tackle this issue we have identified possible cause and effects and of course the remedial actions to be taken respective 3. Cost Risk The possibility that the project will fail to meet the scheduled milestones and the cost of the project will go up and difficult to meet the budget. These are the probable risk that might be encountered and the contingency plan to overcome in the planning phase: Potential Risk 1 Difficulties in meeting up for our group member to discuss on the project due to different working schedule. Possible Solution to Risk1 Meeting to be done on every Saturday afternoon so the plans can be executed in the weekends before submitting the drafts. Ideally, meeting could also be schedule after 8 pm for a brief update on progress. Potential Risk 2 Group members have difficulties in meeting at convenient venue. Possible Solution to Risk2 Meeting can be done at any National Libraries or APMI campus when not only the environment is convenient for learning Potential Risk 3 Group member/s might fall sick and might not be able to meet for discussion. Possible Solution to Risk3 Work progress should be continually updated through email. Potential Risk 4 Group member/s may face problems in software incompatibility and in data sharing. Possible Solution to Risk4 Group member must work on common PC platform to avoid compatibility issues (e.g. one works on LINUX, and another one works on Mac Operating System and may result in unintended data corruption unable to read or edit documents. Better to work on common platform PC like Microsoft OFFICE and OpenProj for common means of compatibility. Any need of using unfamiliar program must be made known and shared so that each and everyone of the member can learn and use the new program. Potential Risk 5 Anyone of the Group member might encounter risk of data loss or corruption. Possible Solution to Risk5 Group member must regularly backup their data on their PC and must have a secondary means of backup (eg. Thumb drive or external hard drive). Seek advice from Mr. Bill Daniels through the discussion Board provided on course website. Initial Project Risk Assessment SNo Identify Hazard Hazard Assessment Causes Effects Implement / Controls Responsi- bility 1 Budget estimation unlikely 1. Substantial cost increase in the project 1. Source for more economical alternative to control spending. 2. Maintain strict accounting practice. Balaji 2 Unrealistic Projected timeline Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Bad image for team 3. Loss due to time delay Strict to the time frame set for the work schedule and Gantt chart. Balaji 3 Disruption to System Equipment Frequently 1. Loss of Equipment 2. Delay in project 1. Constant backup. 2. Escalate of any unusual encounter. Rakesh 4 Manpower management Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Overload of team member 1. Co-ordinate meeting regularly to delegate task and work discussion. 2. Meeting to be done on Saturday Lakshmanan 5 Group members have difficulties in meeting at convenient venue Likely 1. Delay in project 2. Substantial delay in all phases of the project Meeting can be done at any National Libraries or APMI campus when not only the environment is conducive for learning but laptop user could have access to internet wireless connection. Lakshmanan 6 Face problems in software incompatibility and in data sharing. Likely 1. Delay in document work 2. Delay in project Group member must work on common PC platform to avoid compatibility issues (e.g. one works on LINUX, and another one works on APPLE Operating System and may result in unintended data corruption unable to read or edit documents. Better to work on common platform PC like Microsoft OFFICE and OpenProj for common means of compatibility. Any need of using unfamiliar program must be made known and shared so that each and everyone of the member can learn and use the new program Rakesh 7 Group member might encounter risk of data loss or corruption. Likely 1. Loss of all details and documents. Group member must regularly backup their data on their PC and must have a secondary means of backup (e.g. Hard disk, Thumb drive). Rakesh 8 Vendor and Supplier co-ordination issue. Frequently 1. Delay in project 2. Bad image for team 3. Loss due to time delay Plan early and have back-up resources in the event existing vendor meet constraint. Lakshmanan 9 Having doubt in preparing draft. Frequently 1. Delay in project Seek advice from Mr Bill Daniels through the discussion Board provided on course website. Balaji Lakshmanan Rakesh Table2. Initial Project Risk Assessment 6. Resources required Resources are also a very important in the course of a project development. Availability of the different kinds of resources must be used satisfactorily. It is critical to establish a credible schedule because the timing of activities not only depends on the logical dependencies between them, but also on the availability of the required resources. Our group member has used as many as facilities available to achieve the required satisfaction of the information. The resources we use to accomplish the goal of acquiring the conceptual design of an amphibious car are, Hardware I. Computer  § To work on the project report development II. Computer peripherals  § To copy the draft data.  § To print the draft copy for verification. Software III. Core University 5.0 by Vitech Corporation  § To have the breakdown of the requirements  § To display the conceptual design through Flow Functional Block Diagram and Hierarchy Application Packages IV. Microsoft Project Professional 2003  § To create schedule for the entire project plan  § To design the chart for the work task allocation  § Ensure the time limited for the task is look upon V. Microsoft Word  § To type the final specification report of the project Facilities VI. Internet media  § To gain access to the video media regarding amphibious vehicle such as you tube  § To search related information regarding amphibious vehicle  § To gain access to the related websites  § To have communication with the project supervisor  § To have a convenient place to discuss the project development matters  § The usage of this media is vastly great VII. Money/Time Funds  § To have food/refreshments for members attending discussion for the entire project plan  § Towards the expenses like photocopying, phone calls, printing / copying  § To have transport facilities  § To make free ourselves on the discussion planned days. 7 Deliverables For our projects deliverables are the stuff/function that can be the result for the task implementation, it consists of things or stuff such as presentation (MSPowerpoint Slideshows), documentation requirements, total design documentation etc. The documents as deliverables used here are namely the System Engineering Management Plan, System Requirement, Functional Analysis and Allocation, and Final System Specification. System Engineering Management Plan (SEMP) This plan consists of the Scope of the Project, Work Breakdown Structure as Schedule, Cost and Product Testing method, Operation concept. It has to be executed in such a way to get the best result by assigning individual task to the respective team members thereby lead the project together with proper planning to bring the required outcome. System Requirements and Specifications (SRS) This emphasise the task that determines the needs for the product, users, designers, system and subsystems. It identifies the needs of each stakeholder. Functional Analysis and Allocation (FA A) This transforms the system level requirement into functions and analyse the behaviour of the system to get the desired result. And these functions are allocated into a physical design (component level). It can be seen in detail through Functional flow block diagram. Final system specification This document comprises all the above three documents which seeks approval from the Project director for the release of the design to Production. 8. Organisational structure We believe on team work, so at all phases the task has been evenly distributed to our team members according to their role. The process flow is as follows, getting the instruction from project director the task has been distributed to the Project Design engineer by the Project manager and also the whole project is monitored by the Project director. 9. Operational Concept The world is in needs of better and more effective and efficient vehicle that could save money, earth, resources and time of travelling which will be having the various good features when operates in both the environments. Keeping that in mind our Engineering team with the engineering skills would like to design an amphibious vehicle having capable of travelling both in road and water. i.e user friendly navigation system safety protection which will meet the customer needs as customer is mainly dependent on the effective and efficient transportation to commute in his day to day life. As the name goes, the designed Amphibious Car having the capability to travel both on land and on water promises to be more environmental friendly than any other amphibious car compared to existing or future market .The idea behind this is from the automobile researchers who have been done and many have succeeded but unable to market the vehicle as it still needs more work has to be done. Some engineers also did research beyond their imagination but some have succeeded and some are still a long way. The conceptual design of amphibious vehicle will be aimed to provide comfortable journey, trouble free service, energy efficient and environment friendly with Safety features for the customers and the features include well designed with double secured protection against water leak and corrosion of vehicles body parts by using the anti corrosive materials and fail safe controls , fuel efficient, operating at an economical way by giving good mileage and the vehicle would be engineered in way of reducing carbon dioxide emission and reducing pollution to Mother Nature as analysed by our expert engineers it would also benefit the market as a new breed of automobile needs many suitable workshop and fuel station. The vehicle has a robust designed in such a way it is very compatibility for both the conditions either it is in water or on the land. The vehicle will be operated as a boat when in water and navigation system made easy during high tides water currents and during windy seasons. The vehicle will be like normal cars when it operates on the road. The design of the bigger wheels will be providing a better ride in terrain, mud and snow and excellent traction capability with 4 gear power transmission and will provide excellent driving experience. The Vehicle will be designed to have a sportive external look. The look and feel of the designed vehicle is such that it would posses pleasant Interior colours , leg rooms spacious comfortable seatings and incorporating entertainment systems which ensures smooth and comfortable rides both on land and water. The vehicle would be cost effective under long run as the he vehicle has been designed in a way that would have less maintenance. The rugged a nd robust design assures reliability of the vehicle. The vehicle will equipped with a spare tyre and necessary tools. Our team has scheduled the conceptual design tasks and our expertise will fulfil every aspect of the customer requirement in terms of operational, maintenance and service needs and to make it big success in the market. 1. Scope 1.1 System overview Our project â€Å"Amphicar II† as the name suggests the vehicle is designed such that is viable both on land and water. It is a sports convertible full rear seat, well designed family size customer vehicle taking into account for the complete luxury as well as the safety of the customer. Customer can plan to drive right off a road or beach onto any lake or river as it is not only a luxurious car once on land but safely floats on water also because the bottom of the vehicle consists of rubber seals which forms a watertight seal. Some of the key design specification of the Amphicar II are: Its proficient 4 cylinder engine has 4 speed auto transmission forward speeds, Front wheels act as twin rudders for fast responsive handling, rear mounted for superior traction on the road, fitted with accelerator control system making the vehicle to run fuel economically both in road and water fitted with 2 rear lamps each and inbuilt side indicators, Speed O meter (digital) to display the ca rs speed, Coming to the functional aspect of the Amphicar II, once the doors are checked to be closed the customer can just drive into the water edge, and once when the car is into water, the customer is required to put land gear into neutral and then can use the facilities of the propeller or Amphibian jet by engaging it with the smaller stick which has three positions forward, neutral and reverse. Although virtually it is identical to the rest of the Amphibious vehicles, our Amphicar II distinct itself from other late models by having some of the technologies like heater placement, shock mountings, lower body lip and dash treatment and most importantly safety aspect is also considered like emergenc