Duration estimation a new approach in Critical chain scheduling Essay

Duration estimation a new approach in Critical chain scheduling - Essay Example estimation of activities through estimating the level of uncertainty buried in each activity duration and after that taking out of safety periods related to this uncertainty. The validity or soundness of this proposed method, according to the authors, is measured by carrying out a computer simulation on a number of the test problems. Simulation analysis proves that the suggested technique yields schedules that are more dependable than the schedules established by first CCPM technique of duration estimation. Some of the crucial key terms discussed in this article include critical chain, theory of constraint, duration estimation and project scheduling. Critical chain, according to Rezaie, Manouchehrabadi & Shirkouhi (481) is the longest series of events through the project network following the resource contentions. Critical chain, in other words, is a group of tasks through which the project general duration is decided. The authors also discuss how time/duration estimation is a crucia l matter of the critical chain. The authors discuss how Goldratt dedicated a substantial part of this research trying to explain the cause why safety periods cannot safeguard the projects intended dates against the doubt embedded in projects. Rezaie, Manouchehrabadi & Shirkouhi (482) give numerical facts, which were not broadly discussed in Goldratt’s original work. They argue that Goldratt did not exactly specify any numerical distribution function, but assumed a right distorted distribution for every activity duration whereby there was a significant distance between 50% quantile and 90% quantile. They further talked about the propensity among individuals involved in time estimation to overrate the required time so that adequate safety period is put into the measures. The third section of the article, Investigating of Time Estimation Methods, analyzes the method proposed by the authors. The authors go deep into the explanation giving both quantitative and qualitative facts.

How global prices of tobacco have fallen during the land reform in Essay

How global prices of tobacco have fallen during the land reform in Zimbabwe from the year 2000 - Essay Example Tobacco production from Zimbabwe has considerably reduced after the land the implementation of land reform policies in 2000 by the Robert Mugabe government. Zimbabwe government blames natural calamities such as unexpected droughts, floods, and problems global economic orders as the reasons for the heavy downfall of tobacco production in Zimbabwe. In realities, such claims are absolutely nonsenses. The major reason for the current problems in tobacco production is the land reform policies implemented at the beginning of 2000 and the subsequent price drops of tobacco in global market. It should be noted that Zimbabwe is the number one tobacco producer in African region and the third largest in the world behind America and Brazil. â€Å"Malawi and Zimbabwe accounted for just under 70% of tobacco produced in Sub–Saharan Africa (SSA) during1965-2004 and 75% during the 1990s. The share of SSA tobacco leaf exports accounted for by Zimbabwe and Malawi is even higher – 87% duri ng 1965-2004† (Poulton et al, p.6). Moreover, Zimbabwe is the world's biggest tobacco exporter, and tobacco is the country's biggest foreign-currency earner, bringing in some $430 million in 1994† (Zimbabwe Tobacco Exports). ... The remaining 6 million hectares have been reserved for national parks and wildlife, and for urban settlements†(Zimbabwe). Tobacco and maize are the major agricultural crops in Zimbabwe. Majority of the tobacco produced in Zimbabwe is exporting to overseas countries. In fact the major source of foreign money for Zimbabwe is tobacco export. Under such circumstances, any price dips of tobacco in global markets may adversely affect the growth prospects of this country. The share of major crops in the agricultural export of Zimbabwe is illustrated in the following figure. Share of agricultural exports. (Zimbabwe). From the above figure, it is evident that tobacco production has increased consistently from the period from 1985 to 2000, even though some of the other crops suffered setbacks during this period. Moreover the value of exports also increased considerably during this period. However, from 2000 onwards, agricultural sector in general and the tobacco sector in particular sta rted to exhaust in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe governments implemented many changes in the agricultural sector which brought more harm than the good. For example, the programme of â€Å"fast-track land resettlement and redistribution† started in 2000, has brought many problems in Zimbabwe. The above programme is still continuing in Zimbabwe even amidst criticisms from both internal and external sources. In fact these land reformation policies created more panic among the farmers their interests in farming has completely lost at present. Land ownership is a controversial subject in Zimbabwe over the last few decades. Governments implemented periodical changes in land ownership which brought many political and economic changes in the country.

If every physical event has a sufficient physical cause, how can a Essay

If every physical event has a sufficient physical cause, how can a functionalist account for mental causation - Essay Example The most important point to note about the functionalism is that it indicates that mental states which constitute beliefs, being in pain and desires are composed entirely by their functional roles. Being a theoretical; level existing between implementation and physical output, functionalism is different from Cartesian dualism which supports the physical substance and mental independency. The aim of this paper is to discuss how functionalist account for mental causation given that every physical event has a sufficient physical cause. One of the major worries that are experienced in functionalism is the problem of mental causation. This refers to facing a problem of accounting for the idea that intentional mental state and intentional thoughts are triggers of intentional actions1. Mental causation covers the mind’s interaction with the rest of the world and how it influences the behavior of individuals. One of the major sub-division of the problem of mental causation is problem of mental causal exclusion. Others are anomalism and externalism problems. A good example of the causal exclusion problem is indicated when pain is experienced and it is generally linked to a certain state, and the higher properties of that state occurs, then argument that it is pain can casually irrelevant. In dealing with the problem of mental causation, various responses have emerged. According to Antony and Levine 1997, the problem occurred due to highly restrictive causation whereby a cause has to produce its effect. Other phil osophers indicate that causation covers the relationships that exist between various events that must be invoked in order to produce a certain behavior. Recently, causal exclusion problem has been noted to relate with theories of mental states. Theorists such as Anthony and Levine indicated that even though mental states can be defined based on their

Marketing2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Marketing2 - Essay Example Consider, then, a business which creates childrens toys which has suddenly experienced a staggering drop in sales, which is impacting the business future longevity in relation to job creation and profitability. In this situation, identifying potential opportunities to increase these lowered sales, while creating a more stable production environment, would be two sizeable goals for this marketing company. Thus, the first step in creating a competent marketing plan would involve identifying the mission and goals of the organization (Boone & Kurtz, 2007). For example, this hypothetical company might determine that its three year goal is to boost sales by 25%, while also expanding globally. Once these options are identified, the marketing plan highlights the specific steps that will be taken in order to secure these goals, while also identifying various competitor-related risks to the plan of action. A marketing plan does not only identify specific goals, it also performs a situational analysis, identifying various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to the business. For instance, this same hypothetical toymaker may realize that its strengths are in its supportive labour force and various legislation which provides tax-related breaks for businesses wishing to go global. At the same time, it may recognize that huge levels of competition exist in a particular market environment, thus the marketing plan creates a plan of action to combat competitor activities or enhance the labour pool. The marketing plan becomes more complicated as it identifies the strategy of distribution, the appropriate target market for its toy products, and further creates a pricing plan which will work for the business needs. For instance, the leadership team at the toymaker might realize that sales have dropped because consumer attitudes toward the current pricing policy are leading to less