Impact Of Variations On Project Performance

Impact Of Variations On Project Performance Given a well-structured schedule of works, the maximum project performance could be achieved if the work progress flows smoothly within the time frame and within the budget. However, it is rare that a project performs according as scheduled due to several reasons such as market conditions changes and Variations on the design drawings or contract. Therefore, the occurrence of Variations has negative impact on project performance. Thomas et al (2002:144) believe that variability generally impedes project performance. Ibbs (1997:308) concluded that Variations have tremendous effect on the project performance as the negatively affect the productivity and cost. Arain Pheng (2005:285) argued that Variations are unwanted but inevitable reality of any construction project. Hanna et al (2002:57) indicated that projects impacted by Variations causes the contractor to achieve lower productivity level than planned. There are 16 effects identified from the literature review, as shown in Figure 1 is discussed bellow. Delay in payment: Delay in payment occurred frequently due to Variations in construction projects (CII, 1990a). Variations may slow down the project progress, leading to delays in achieving the targeted dateline during construction (CII, 1995). Eventually, this may affect payment to the contractors. These delay may causes severe problems until it end up in delays in payment to the subcontractors; this is because the Contractors may not be able to pay the Sub-Contractors unless they get paid by the Employer first. Quality degradation: If occurrence of Variations is frequent, they may affect the quality of works. According to CII (1995), the quality of work was usually poor because of frequent variations because Contractors tended to compensate for the losses by doing short cut works. Productivity degradation: Interruption, delays and redirection of work that are associated with Variations have a negative impact on labour productivity. These in turn can be translated into labour cost or monetary value (Ibbs, 1997b). Hester et al. (1991) argued that the productivity of workers was expected to be greatly affected in cases where they were required to work overtime for prolonged periods to compensate for schedule delays. Thomas and Napolitan (1995) concluded that Variations normally led to disruptions and these disruptions were responsible for labour productivity degradation. The most significant types of disruptions were due to the lack of materials and information as well as the work out of sequence. Lack of material was reported as the most serious disruption, because labours could not continue their works and end up idling while waiting for the materials to be available. Hence, to manage Variations, one needed to manage these disruptions. However, the disruptive e ffects could not be avoided in many instances. Rework and demolition: Rework and demolition are frequent occurrences due to Variations in construction projects (Clough and Sears, 1994). Variations which are imposed when construction is underway or even completed, usually lead to reworks and delays in project completion (CII, 1990a). Rework and demolition are potential effects of Variations in construction, depending on the timing of the occurrence of the Variations. These effects are to be expected due to Variations during the construction phase. This is because the Variations during the design phase do not require any rework or demolition on construction sites. Logistics delays: Logistics delays may occur due to Variations requiring new materials and equipment (Fisk, 1997). Hester et al. (1991) observed that logistics delays were significant effects of Variations in construction projects. Logistics delays were experienced in construction projects where Variations in the construction phase required new materials, tools and equipments. Tarnish firms reputation: Variations are referred to as a major source of construction claims and disputes (Fisk, 1997; Kumaraswamy et al., 1998). The claims and disputes may affect the firms reputation negatively, due to unable to solve sever Variation cases. Variations also increase the possibility of professional disputes. Conventionally, Variations present problems to all the parties involved in the construction process. Poor safety conditions: Variations may affect the safety conditions in construction projects (OBrien, 1998) as changes in construction methods, materials and equipment may require, therefore additional safety measures are needed during carrying out the construction phase. Poor professional relations: A construction project is not a mere brick and mortar brought together. Rather, it creates professional relationships between parties to the contract. Each project successfully completed constitutes an added experience to participants and their reputation builds up. But disputes may arise between parties to the contract owing the occurrence of Variations. Misunderstanding may arise when the Contractor is not satisfied with the judgment of the consultant in terms of a fair valuation of a Variation. Bower (2000:264) argued that parties to a contract have been left to argue over the cost, time effects and due compensation of a Variations. Since the Contractors are pessimist of the outcome of the negotiations, they usually allow higher value than the real cost incurred. Bower (2000:264) opined that this causes the contention between parties as the Contractor continually push the client to settle the claim for additional costs while invariably feeling that the reimbursement has been insufficient. As a consequence, this can be very damaging to relationship between all parties representatives (Bower 2000:264). Charoenngam et al (2003:197) remarked that disputes between the Employer and the Contractor can occur if the Variations undertaking is not managed carefully. Harbans (2003:42) warned that unless a mutually acceptable solution is agreed by the parties, valuation of Variations would remain at the forefront of disputes and claims making their way ultimately to arbitral tribunals or the corridors of justice. Ssegawa (2002:92) revealed that more than one-third of disputes occurs pertain to how to ascertain losses arising from Variations. The excessive occurrence of Variations due to design errors or omission may undermine the professionalism of the designer. Furthermore, workers get demoralised when they demolish a portion of work that has already been done. Additional payments for contractor: Additional payments for the contractor can be a potential effect of Variations in construction projects. Variations are considered to be a common source of additional works for the Contractor (OBrien, 1998). Due to additional payments, the Contractor looks forward to Variations in the construction project because contractor benefits from the additional profit on Variations. Disputes among professionals: Like poor professional relations, disputes among professionals are also potential effects of frequent variations in construction projects. The disputes over Variations and claims are inevitable and the Variation clauses are often the source of project disputes (CII, 1986a). Clear procedures presented in the contract and fair allocation of risks can help in resolving disputes through negotiation rather than litigation (CII, 1986a). Frequent communication and strong coordination can assist in eliminating the disputes between professionals. Completion schedule delay: Various authors agree that Variations could be one of the reasons behind project time overruns or delays (Chan Yeong 1995:467, Mohamed 2001:1). It is said that a project that finished within the shortest time could, achieves some monetary savings. Unfortunately, each additional day due to occurrence of Variations on a project implies additional money. Variations issued during any various phases of construction gives negative affected to both projects completion time and cost increase (Koushki 2005:292). Hanna et al (2002:63) revealed that the more the Variations occurrence the more significant productivity losses. The productivity is the amount of output over a unit of time.

Fractal Geometry :: essays papers

Fractal Geometry The world of mathematics usually tends to be thought of as abstract. Complex and imaginary numbers, real numbers, logarithms, functions, some tangible and others imperceivable. But these abstract numbers, simply symbols that conjure an image, a quantity, in our mind, and complex equations, take on a new meaning with fractals - a concrete one. Fractals go from being very simple equations on a piece of paper to colorful, extraordinary images, and most of all, offer an explanation to things. The importance of fractal geometry is that it provides an answer, a comprehension, to nature, the world, and the universe. Fractals occur in swirls of scum on the surface of moving water, the jagged edges of mountains, ferns, tree trunks, and canyons. They can be used to model the growth of cities, detail medical procedures and parts of the human body, create amazing computer graphics, and compress digital images. Fractals are about us, and our existence, and they are present in every mathematical law that governs the universe. Thus, fractal geometry can be applied to a diverse palette of subjects in life, and science - the physical, the abstract, and the natural. We were all astounded by the sudden revelation that the output of a very simple, two-line generating formula does not have to be a dry and cold abstraction. When the output was what is now called a fractal, no one called it artificial... Fractals suddenly broadened the realm in which understanding can be based on a plain physical basis. (McGuire, Foreword by Benoit Mandelbrot) A fractal is a geometric shape that is complex and detailed at every level of magnification, as well as self-similar. Self-similarity is something looking the same over all ranges of scale, meaning a small portion of a fractal can be viewed as a microcosm of the larger fractal. One of the simplest examples of a fractal is the snowflake. It is constructed by taking an equilateral triangle, and after many iterations of adding smaller triangles to increasingly smaller sizes, resulting in a "snowflake" pattern, sometimes called the von Koch snowflake. The theoretical result of multiple iterations is the creation of a finite area with an infinite perimeter, meaning the dimension is incomprehensible. Fractals, before that word was coined, were simply considered above mathematical understanding, until experiments were done in the 1970's by Benoit Mandelbrot, the "father of fractal geometry". Mandelbrot developed a method that treated fractals as a part of standard Euclidean geometry, with the dimension of a fractal being an exponent. Fractals pack an infinity into "a grain of sand". This infinity appears when one tries to measure them.

Un Convention on the Rights of the Child

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) In 1989 world leaders decided that children needed a convention that protected their rights and that people recognised that children had rights too. They felt that children needed special care and protection that adults do not The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the first legally binding international instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights—civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The Convention has set out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols.It covers all the basic human rights and states that children everywhere have: the right to survival; to develop to the fullest; to protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation; and to participate fully in family, cultural and social life. The four core principles of the Convention are non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the v iews of the child. Every right spelled out in the Convention is inherent to the human dignity and harmonious development of every child.The Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care; education; and legal, civil and social services. Article 29 is specifically aimed at children and their right to an education; it is based on equal opportunity and states that * Primary education is compulsory and free to all * Develop different forms of secondary education which should be free and with the offer of financial assistance if needed * Make higher education available for all Make educational information and guidance available for all children * Encourage regular attendance and reduce the number of drop outs. It also has guidance of how education should be delivered to the children * It should develop the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their full potential * It should develop the respect for the child’s parents, cultural identity, language, values and the national values of the country in which the child lives or originates from * It should repare the child for the responsibilities of life in a free society in an environment that offers peace, tolerance, equality of sexes and friendship among people * It should offer the chance to develop in a natural environment. childrenandyouthprogramme. info/pdfs/pdfs†¦ /uncrc_summary_version. pdf 27. 10. 12 www. csie. org. uk/inclusion/child-rights. shtml 27. 10. 12 www. unicef. org/crc/ 27. 10. 12

Basic Needs vs. Frivolous Spending essays

Basic Needs vs. Frivolous Spending essays The focus on money has become a major issue that comes upon all people at anytime. This problem can be even more profound through the life of an architect. Being offered a job with more commission is a large benefit, but taking a pay cut to serve and help the community should come into play faster. In the case of the architect that has been offered to either design three private houses with a budget of three million and a commission of 10% or a low cost housing project with the same budget of three million and only a 5% commission. On one side of the spectrum she would only have to design three private dwellings and receive a commission of $30,000. Then on the complete other side she could choose to design the 36 low-cost family houses and collect only $15,000. Either job would be excellent to have as an income boost, but the moral dilemma runs deeper than the money does. To come to a final decision she needs to take both projects into consideration, and think of both the positives and negatives. Knowing that she was offered to job for the three private dwellings is an accomplishment in itself. The opportunities to have one million dollars at your own will to design and construct these houses is a true pleaser. She must also think of what the need-based demand is for these houses are. If the owners are able to pay that amount of money, the need for the house must not be that great. Although it is much speculation about how important the houses are to these people, it would be logical to think that these people would be able to find another architect to do the work at the same price. The low-cost housing development is a different story. These houses are more of a necessity for them. Seeing this project up for production should ring a bell inside her head. Building these houses would help 36 families get into a better place of living, and create a better environment for children and tee ...

High School Science Fair Projects

High School Science Fair Projects Coming up with a high school science fair project idea can be challenging. There is fierce competition for the coolest idea, and you need a topic appropriate for your educational level. Below are science fair project ideas arranged by topic, but first take a look at ideas according to education level: Elementary school projectsMiddle school projectsHigh school projectsCollege projects High School Projects While you might have been able to get by making posters and models in earlier grades, the bar is higher for high school science fair projects. The basis for your scientific exploration should be the scientific method: forming a hypothesis and then testing it with an experiment. You want a topic that makes the judges take notice. Consider issues addressed by others and ask yourself what questions are left unanswered. How could they be tested? Look for problems in the world around you and try to explain or solve them. Here are some ideas in various categories: Household Items These are projects involving items around the house: How safe is your microwave oven? Compare the growth of a plant or germination of seeds placed near the oven with those grown under the same light/temperature conditions farther from the appliance.Will bottled water turn green (grow algae) if you leave unopened bottles in the sun? Does it matter which brand you use?Do all dishwashing detergents produce the same amount of bubbles? Clean the same number of dishes?Do consumers prefer bleached paper products or naturals might include a rubber band harp or a flute from clay, wood, or plastic. Personal Hygiene and Grooming Here are projects affecting health and appearance: Do all hairsprays hold equally well? Equally long? Does the  type of hair affect the results?How sterile is contact lens solution and how long does it stay sterile? See how long it takes for mold, fungi, and bacteria to culture saline. How sterile is the inside of a persons contact lens case?How long do home hair-coloring products hold their color? Does brand matter? Does the type of hair affect colorfastness? How does previous treatment (perming, previous coloring, straightening) affect initial color intensity and colorfastness? Botany/Biology These projects involve the natural world: Are night insects attracted to lamps because of heat or light?How effective are natural mosquito repellents?Does magnetism affect the growth of plants?How are plants affected by the distance between them? Look into the concept of allelopathy. Sweet potatoes release chemicals (allelochemicals) that can inhibit the growth of plants near them. How close can another plant grow to a sweet potato? What effects does an allelochemical have on a plant?Is a seed affected by its size? Do different size seeds have different germination rates or percentages? Does seed size affect the growth rate or final size of a plant?How does cold storage affect the germination of seeds? Factors you can control include the type of seeds, the  length of storage, the  temperature of storage, and other variables, such as light and humidity.How close does a plant have to be to a pesticide for it to work? What factors influence the effectiveness of a pesticide (rain/light/wind)? How much can you dilute a pestic ide while retaining its effectiveness? How effective are natural pest deterrents? What is the effect of a chemical on a plant? Factors that you can measure include rate of plant growth, leaf size, life/death of the plant, color, and ability to flower/bear fruitHow do different fertilizers affect the way plants grow? There are lots of different types of fertilizers containing varying amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in addition to other ingredients. You can test different fertilizers and see how they affect the height of a plant, the number or size of its leaves, the number of flowers, time until blooming, branching of stems, root development, or other factors.Does using colored mulch have an effect on a plant? You can look at its height, fruitfulness, the  number of flowers, overall plant size, the  rate of growth, or other factors.How do different factors affect seed germination? Factors that you could test include the intensity, duration, or type of light, the temperature, the amount of water, the presence/absence of certain chemicals, or the p resence/absence of soil. You can look at the percentage of seeds that germinate or the rate at which seeds germinate. Do plant-based insect repellents work as well as synthesized chemical repellents?Does the presence of cigarette smoke affect the growth rate of plants? Food These are projects involving what we eat: What type of plastic wrap best prevents evaporation?What plastic wrap best prevents oxidation?Do different brands of orange juice contain different levels of vitamin C?Does the level of vitamin C in orange juice change over time?Do oranges gain or lose vitamin C after being picked?How does the sugar concentration vary in different brands of apple juice?Does storage temperature affect the pH of juice?How does the pH of juice change with time? How does temperature affect the rate of chemical changes?Does eating breakfast have an effect on school performance? Does it matter what you eat?Do the same types of mold grow on all types of bread?Does light affect the rate at which foods spoil?Do foods containing preservatives stay fresh longer than foods without them?How does time or season of harvest affect the chemistry and nutritional content of food?Is the nutritional content of different brands of a vegetable (e.g., canned peas) the same?What conditions affect the ripening of fruit? Look at ethylene and enclosing a fruit in a sealed bag, or at temperature, light, or nearness to other pieces of fruit. Is bottled water purer than tap water? Miscellaneous These projects are more generally focused: How much is the interior of a car cooled if a light-blocking windshield cover is used?Can a black light detect invisible stains?What type of car antifreeze is safest for the environment?How does the rate of evaporation of the crystal-growing medium affect the final size of the crystals?You usually heat water or another liquid to dissolve a solid to grow crystals. Does the rate at which this liquid is cooled affect the way the crystals grow? What effect do additives have on the crystals?How are different soils affected by erosion? You can make your own wind and use water to evaluate the effects on soil. If you have access to a very cold freezer, you can look at the effects of freeze-and-thaw cycles.How does the pH of soil relate to the pH of the water around the soil? You can make your own pH paper, test the pH of the soil, add water, then test the pH of the water. Are the two values the same? If not, is there a relationship between them?

Innovation and knowledge management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Innovation and knowledge management - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that when it comes to the current competitive situations of organizations, innovation has been granted high regard by firms as it has been significantly associated with improved growth and performance through developments in quality, productivity, effectiveness and market shares. Often, the terms â€Å"innovation† and â€Å"creativity† are interchangeably used; however, primary differences can be distinguished between the two. Creativity is an essential step for innovation to be successfully applied. In fact, the current definition of innovation has become equal to creativity plus effective implementation. In the creativity stage, useful ideas are generated while the innovation process involves the course of action and the actual development of these ideas to reality. To simply put it, the innovation first starts with a particular need which brings forth a creative idea. Amabile et al suggest that all innovations start with th e formation of a creative idea. Innovation is therefore defined as a successful and effective achievement of creative ideas that are brought up in an organization. In terms of implementing a physical product or object, product design and development is extremely necessary. As in this stage, concept development, as well as the testing and manufacturing of the product or object, is undergone. When an organization has conceptualized and evaluated their ideas, through product design and development they are able to make them concrete and tangible using a systematic method.

International business law Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International business law - Article Example The article relates to the material being used in class, specifically in terms of asserting the need to abide and observe human rights, especially in war-ridden areas. The news report disclosed that through these chemical attacks, â€Å"the Assad regime continues to carry out war crimes in its slaughter of innocent men, women, and children† (Reuters par. 11). Even though the victims were noted to be rebels of the Syrian government, it is important to observe proper legal procedures in applying jurisdiction and justice, than resorting to chemical warfare that undermines their right to live. I strongly believe that each country face problems in terms of the ideologies professed by rebel groups which obviously run counter to government policies and legislation. However, as government officials, elected by the people, I affirm that resorting to unfair warfare tactics, like chemical warfare, grossly violates the rebels’ right to express themselves and to live. As such, if these rebels also violate legal, moral, or ethical codes of conduct, they too, should be subjected to similar legal procedures that each and every citizen of the country is allowed to undergo. Therefore, the allegations reported that the Syrian government allegedly uses chemical warfare in rebel-held areas are obvious violations of human rights and should be rightfully examined by international courts. The fact that the government had already breached the chemical weapons agreement is already an indication of disrespect for justice and observance of human rights. The reason why I disagree to the Sy rian government’s alleged use of toxic chemicals in rebel-held areas is that the action obviously disrespects the right of these rebels to live. Further, by using these chemical weapons, unsuspecting and hapless victims include women and children, who are supposed to be protected from these abusive incidents. The rebels could just be