Crimes and Misdemeanors Essay

â€Å"Crimes and Misdemeanors† Woody Allen’s, â€Å"Crimes and Misdemeanors†, film paints a realistic picture of the real world in which we all live. His film brilliantly portrays the lives of how a large amount of people across this globe live their own life and does not attempt to â€Å"sugarcoat† any event that occurs in the movie; he merely tells it how it is and provides information for what people should expect in todays world. Allen takes on the issue of the human races’ true beliefs of morality and what actually happens in he real world, in contrast to what typically takes place in movies. Allen transpires different events throughout his movie that create a lingering question for his audience on the thoughts of morality in a â€Å"godless† community. Adultery, lies, and murder were only a small sum of the crimes that were committed in Allen’s movie. However, the question becomes how the characters reacted to their own acts of immorality. The most in depth storyline in this movie was that of Judah Rosenthal, who comes to the conclusion that in a world devoid of godly resence, all acts are permissible, even adultery and murder. Once a person erases their belief on certain morals and values, it is much easier for them to erase crimes or immoral acts they have committed from their mind as being immoral. Judah does an extraordinary Job at showing this in the movie when he finds out that someone else was arrested for the murder of Dolores; he automatically knew he was off the hook and made himself believe he did no wrong. By doing this he was capable of going on and living his life. Another main character in Allen’s movie, was one layed by him himself. Throughout the movie Cliff embarked on new ideas and experiences because they were his passion and what he believed, however at the end of the movie we watch as Cliff loses everything he believed in from his love, his career, and his family. Many may question why Cliff would lose everything if he had so many good strong beliefs and how Judah can move on with his life even after being involved in a murder. However, the answer according to this movie is simple. We as the human race, define ourselves by our choices, with the absence of god. In he issue concerning Cliff losing everything he believed in, it wasn’t necessarily a punishment, but in all actuality shows how it can be relevant to real life. Not all times, does a person with good morals get what they want. In addition, Judah was going to move on with his life no matter if he had a religious background or not. Judah saw the world as, once God is gone all things are permissible, which shows his true morals and values as a person. His character depicts the life of one who has done wrong and escaped punishment in their life at some point, which again can be pplied to the real world on a daily basis. Regarding the different situations that occur all across this movie, it is shown that there can be a sense of morality in our world without the belief of a certain religion. This movie portrays many types of religious beliefs within the characters and then goes on to show that even people who do not necessarily believe in God, still have morals they might Just value certain areas more than others. God is essentially a the absence of god, anything anyone wants to make permissible to their own self can be made permissible.

Nike Inc

Kim Ford, the portfolio manager, outstanding performance of the fund. In order to evaluate Nikkei as a viable choice, Kim has to calculate the cost of capital for the company and make sure assumptions are a direct function from the estimates. The cost of capital calculation or WAC helps to see if an investment is worthwhile to undertake. However, the assumptions made to calculate WAC, in this case, are the underlying problem because some of the assumptions made are incorrect. Analysis Nikkei held a meeting to discuss company performance at 2011 end of fiscal year.In the meeting, management discussed their strategy to improve revenues and net income by developing more athletic shoe products in the misplaced segment of selling shoes at $70-$90 a pair. The company also planned to increase sales for its apparel line, which it had performed really well lately. Management was also concern in the drop of market share from 48%, in 1997, to 42% in 2000. Nikkei was also committed to make an ef fort in controlling company expenses more diligently. Yet, Nine's investment value was not clear to Kim Ford. Analysts' reports had mixed recommendations about the value of the company.Some analysts were recommending buying the stock and some others were recommending holding the stock. Different recommendations were based on the company's declining performance and the proposed strategies to improve the same. Weakening revenues and net income since 1997 are displayed in their firm's consolidated statement showing an improvement in the later years as well. Therefore, Ford had to run her own calculations. Kim Ford performed a discounted cash flow forecast that resulted in a 12% discount rate with an overvalued estimate for Nikkei at the current share price.Ford also performed a quick sensitivity analysis that showed Nikkei was undervalued. Ford figured the best way to make a choice about Nikkei is by calculating the cost of capital cause Nikkei is financed through equity and debt. Ford asked her assistant, Johanna Cohen, to estimate Nine's cost of capital. WAC is the cost of capital for a firm as a whole and can be interpreted as the required return on the overall firm (Ross, Westfield & Jordan, 2010). Some of the assumptions made by Johanna Cohen in calculating the cost of capital are incorrect.As stated before, the correct assumptions are necessary in order to make the right choice. Johanna used the book values for equity and debt. While book values are acceptable values for debt at times, book values for equity are not. Book values may be important from an accounting point of view but market values are forward looking. Therefore, Johanna should have calculated the equity market value. The debt market value calculated by Johanna is also slightly incorrect. Johanna did not include Redeemable Preferred Stock in her calculation.Consequently, Cone's To figure out the cost of equity Johanna used CAMP, a widely used method. CAMP tells what to expect in regards to fut ure returns on a share of stock. Johanna did right by using this method; however, her calculations include an average for six years on Betas and it should be an average for five years, since the 6th year is not finished. In addition, the 5. 74% rate on 20- year treasury bonds is sufficient to use as the risk-free rate. The geometric mean for current equity risk premiums is more representative to use.Under the cost of debt calculation, Johanna missed a simpler way to calculate the cost of debt. â€Å"The cost of debt is simply the interest rate the firm must pay on new borrowing. For example, if the firm already has bonds outstanding, then the yield to maturity on those bonds is the market required rate on the firm's debt† (Ross et al, 2010). Johanna could have simply calculated the YET on Nine's bonds. Since some of Cone's assumptions are incorrect, the cost of capital calculation does not reflect an accurate result. Nike Inc Kim Ford, the portfolio manager, outstanding performance of the fund. In order to evaluate Nikkei as a viable choice, Kim has to calculate the cost of capital for the company and make sure assumptions are a direct function from the estimates. The cost of capital calculation or WAC helps to see if an investment is worthwhile to undertake. However, the assumptions made to calculate WAC, in this case, are the underlying problem because some of the assumptions made are incorrect. Analysis Nikkei held a meeting to discuss company performance at 2011 end of fiscal year.In the meeting, management discussed their strategy to improve revenues and net income by developing more athletic shoe products in the misplaced segment of selling shoes at $70-$90 a pair. The company also planned to increase sales for its apparel line, which it had performed really well lately. Management was also concern in the drop of market share from 48%, in 1997, to 42% in 2000. Nikkei was also committed to make an ef fort in controlling company expenses more diligently. Yet, Nine's investment value was not clear to Kim Ford. Analysts' reports had mixed recommendations about the value of the company.Some analysts were recommending buying the stock and some others were recommending holding the stock. Different recommendations were based on the company's declining performance and the proposed strategies to improve the same. Weakening revenues and net income since 1997 are displayed in their firm's consolidated statement showing an improvement in the later years as well. Therefore, Ford had to run her own calculations. Kim Ford performed a discounted cash flow forecast that resulted in a 12% discount rate with an overvalued estimate for Nikkei at the current share price.Ford also performed a quick sensitivity analysis that showed Nikkei was undervalued. Ford figured the best way to make a choice about Nikkei is by calculating the cost of capital cause Nikkei is financed through equity and debt. Ford asked her assistant, Johanna Cohen, to estimate Nine's cost of capital. WAC is the cost of capital for a firm as a whole and can be interpreted as the required return on the overall firm (Ross, Westfield & Jordan, 2010). Some of the assumptions made by Johanna Cohen in calculating the cost of capital are incorrect.As stated before, the correct assumptions are necessary in order to make the right choice. Johanna used the book values for equity and debt. While book values are acceptable values for debt at times, book values for equity are not. Book values may be important from an accounting point of view but market values are forward looking. Therefore, Johanna should have calculated the equity market value. The debt market value calculated by Johanna is also slightly incorrect. Johanna did not include Redeemable Preferred Stock in her calculation.Consequently, Cone's To figure out the cost of equity Johanna used CAMP, a widely used method. CAMP tells what to expect in regards to fut ure returns on a share of stock. Johanna did right by using this method; however, her calculations include an average for six years on Betas and it should be an average for five years, since the 6th year is not finished. In addition, the 5. 74% rate on 20- year treasury bonds is sufficient to use as the risk-free rate. The geometric mean for current equity risk premiums is more representative to use.Under the cost of debt calculation, Johanna missed a simpler way to calculate the cost of debt. â€Å"The cost of debt is simply the interest rate the firm must pay on new borrowing. For example, if the firm already has bonds outstanding, then the yield to maturity on those bonds is the market required rate on the firm's debt† (Ross et al, 2010). Johanna could have simply calculated the YET on Nine's bonds. Since some of Cone's assumptions are incorrect, the cost of capital calculation does not reflect an accurate result.

Biotech benifits drought and salinity resistant crops

Biotech benifits drought and salinity resistant crops A study released March 14 concluded that more than 500,000 people could die due to the effects of climate change on food production. And it isn’t the first warning. This headline comes after a 2013 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying that climate change could devastate agriculture. The warming climate, the report explained, could lead to dramatic increases in weeds, pests, and diseases. Other scientists have said the change in frequency and severity of extreme weather events (like heat waves, droughts, and floods) could lead to lower yields.â€Å"we’re going to end up in a situation where we have a multitude of things happening that are going to negatively impact crop production†, said Jerry Hatfield, a USDA plant physiologist. At the same time our climate is changing, our population is growing quickly: We’ll need to feed an estimated 9.7 billion people by 2050.Biotech crops, designed to withstand the effects of climate change, are one tool that could help us meet the challenge of feeding more people in a changing world. Here’s how: Drought-tolerant corn: This corn variety, available in the United States, was specifically designed for dry, drought-like conditions. These plants still need water, but they have been engineered to protect farmer’s yields in moderate drought years. A public-private partnership in Africa is now working to develop a drought-tolerant variety specifically designed for the continent. It’s estimated that better corn varieties could increase yields by 20 to 35 percent in food-insecure communities. Hyper-efficient, drought-resistant rice: Scientists in the UK are using genetic engineering to change the photosynthesis process in rice. The new variety could double water efficiency and increase tolerance to warmer temperatures. It could increase productivity up to 50 percent, and it has been called â€Å"one of humanity’s best chances for ending world hunger.†Salinity-tolerant crops: Climate change is expected to make river water (which is used for irrigation) saltie r. Scientists are experimenting with genetically modified wheat and barley that will be able to withstand higher levels of salt in water. In addition to allowing farmers to grow food in changing conditions, these varieties would free up more fresh water for drinking. Biotech crops won’t just help with climate change adaptation in the future; they’re also helping to mitigate climate change right now. Biotech crops make it easier for farmers to practice no-till farming. It’s a way of farming without plowing the soil. This means carbon stays in the soil and is not released into the atmosphere. Insect-resistant crops need fewer pesticide sprays, leading to less use of tractors and the fuel they need. In 2010, the use of biotech crops helped remove 19.4 billion kilograms of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, almost the same as taking 8.6 million cars off the road for a year. So while climate change certainly poses a threat to agriculture, we have an important tool to mitigate and adapt. Biotech is part of the solution. Specially designed crops will be one more tool in the toolkit for feeding a hungry, growing population in warming world.

Research paper in Information technology articals Essay

Research paper in Information technology articals - Essay Example nder research reports about the new version of Microsoft’s sleek and strong server operating system which is enhanced in options by virtualization, networking and security. This is a product which the IT sector cannot resist to use and seems to have a competitive edge over the Linux. The new version of operating system overrides the complaint about Microsoft Window Server resource foot print in terms of memory, CPU and disk space in its 2003 version. However, the new version has accommodated more requirements from the perspective of fulfilling physical server. Windows Server 2008 comes with a 64 bit server operating system that is equipped with a smaller average resource footprint than Windows Vista. Windows Server 2008 Datacenter is built to function with speed from the sleek Server Core which is a light weight virtualized guest operating system. Windows Server 2008 is all set to replace the Windows Server 2003 in all IT outlets due to its independent virtual servers that is efficient in both features and footprint over a wide range of choice. Options to use email, database, robust edge services and collaboration are embedded in the form of add-ons. However, these options can be set in the host level by providing the option of virtualized guest allocating applications and services that use the OS components. In short, one set of SQL Server or Exchange Server extends service for other options like never before. The article goes on to explain the viability of combining Window Server 2008 with an eight core, two socket AMD Barcelona reference server that yields impressive results that applaud the hardware architecture of the Windows OS. The article reveals that Windows Server 2008 is constructed for virtualization. All the stock keeping units (SKU’s) till the Datacenter are equipped to meet buffet scalability. A user can find the detailed features of the server with more accuracy than one could view in Windows Server 2003 like feature to run the OS, where to

The U.K Phone Scandal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The U.K Phone Scandal - Essay Example Communication practices and media of communication have with time mutated, becoming self-organized, and wholly evolving to new forms (McQuail, 2008:214). Outcomes of these new forms of communication systems and practices are often not predictable. This paper discusses in depth how the recent phone hacking scandal in U.K portray incidences where the popular press use their press freedom as a justification of their unwarranted media intrusion in people’s privacy. Research depicts that the cell phone is one fascinating garget that has undergone many changes and still undergoing technological changes (Wyatt, 2000:4). For instance, it never envisaged that the use of mobile phones would change drastically from voice mail communication to SMS then later to the internet use. Mobile phones are depicted to have a variation of features that make them powerful gargets. They not only serves as a means of communication but also installed with the necessary technology of accessing the intern et, watching television, and playing games. In addition, some mobile phones have been installed with the GPS that enables the location of an individual. Therefore, change in the cell phone technology has increased dramatically. This change in the cell phone industry has been both beneficial and hazardous to the society. Although people have a positive attitude towards the use of cell phones, in some cases, they pose a negative impact to the society. For a better understanding of the emergence of media, it is necessary to understand public communication and media are much more than the deployment of communication technologies. The key factor that differentiates media and communication is practices. These practices include co-creation, conversation, collaboration, and community building. Cell phones, mostly used as gadgets of communication have been used by the U.K as a means of retrieving information from people especially the politicians. Scholarly research depicts that in the world of news and media all hours of the day, political advertising, and communication are viewed as a strong set of policy ideas. The press has always been extensively given the responsibility and freedom of carrying out research and informing the nation about the current and on-going issues in the country (Curran, and Seaton, 2009:6). However, the U.K press has gone to a further extent of using their freedom in intruding people’s privacy. Phone-hacking scandal in recent years has been an ongoing controversy in the international news. It is depicted that the press use phone hacking as a way of obtaining information. Researchers depict that the U.K press viewed their work as commercial rather than a responsibility. Legal, economic, and social context in which the media is allowed to function lead to an ultimate contribution in an individual’s political life will. For instance, media and its effect on political process health in U.K, remains a considerable issue under scruti ny (McNair, 2011:20). Moreover, the emergence of political industry in U.K has raised an argument on efficient and reliable political communication to democracy. Research depicts that most of these social reporters typically base their concern and focus on celebrities, gossip, and other subsequent trivia rather than social issues affecting the country. However, the media not only portrays the social issues in the society but also becomes a pathway for extensive political campaigns, civic actions, and professional and business

Problem Identification Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Problem Identification Paper - Essay Example The information is stored in the database in a systematic way so that it can be easily retrieved whenever required through queries by the reporting module. Data capturing is done through user-friendly screens depending upon the type of data. The entire system is being protected by a user level password to enable different assigned activities so that no intruder can access the data. The user for this application is a person who wants to generate a new web enabled dynamic content application and not the end user working at the client side. Feasibility study is an important phase in the software development process. It enables the developer to have an assessment of the product being developed. It refers to the feasibility study of the product in terms of outcomes of the product, operational use and technical support required for implementing it. It refers to the benefits or outcomes. We are deriving from the product as compared to the total cost we are spending for developing the product. If the benefits are more or less the same as the older system, then it is not feasible to develop the product. In the present system, the development of the new product greatly enhance the accuracy of the system and cuts short the delay in the processing of Birth and Death application. The errors can be greatly reduced and at the same time providing great level of security. Hence, we do not need any additional equipment except memory of required capacity. No need of spending money on client for maintenance because the database used is web enabled database. It refers to the feasibility of the product to be operational. Some products may work very well at design and implementation but may fall in the real time environment. It includes the study of additional human resources required and their technical expertise. The present system is used for different

Sulphur Hot Spring in Colorado Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sulphur Hot Spring in Colorado - Essay Example This discussion stresses that Sulphur Hot Springs Town is situated in the Grand County in Colorado in the United States of America with proximity to Byers Canyon and Kremmling. The town is 7680 feet height above sea level. It is the presence of the hot springs that caused the formation of the town now known as the Town of the Hot Springs Colorado. The Hot Sulphur Springs were a camping ground during the winter season for the inhabitants of the region who were the Ute Indians, who used the hot springs for medicinal purposes.As the study highlights the hot springs were originally discovered by William Byers, who the founder and the mind behind the Rocky Mountain News. The discovery led to the establishment of a town in the springs around 1860 with the name Warm Springs. Byers being an entrepreneur looked at the viability of the region, and decided that the region was a good site for constructing a Resort and a spa where people could come and have leisure during the winter seasons. Byer s decided to buy the site through a backdoor deal from a Minnesota woman although there was an original treaty naming the Ute tribe as the inhabitants and the legal owners of the site in 1863.  The Ute inhabitants were bitter about the sale deal and decided to sue Byers. Byers being connected to the territorial governors of the regions managed to win the case and staged war against the Ute people while calling for their eviction from the region. His idea was to create the most World Spa and Resort in the site.

Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 26

Analysis - Essay Example As a result, the author asks why discrepancy prevails between reality and immigrants’ impact on the economy. According to Campo-Flores, Americans argue that immigrants are bad since they create an influx in the workplace. Moreover, the undocumented immigrants strain public services in places such as hospitals, jails, and schools (2010). Though the overall influence of undocumented immigrants is positive, the benefits and costs are disbursed in an uneven manner. For instance, businesses and employers, particularly in agribusinesses benefit the most from immigrants’ low-cost labor, making other sectors to complain about the impact of immigrants in the country. In addition, though consumers acquire goods and services at grocery stores cheaply, most of them fail to understand that immigrants make the greatest contribution. The author makes these points because the negative perceptions towards illegal immigrants are concentrated among the low-skilled natives. They suffer from foreign labor competition, leading to reduced wages, particularly among American high-school dropouts. In this case, the best way to address this issue is not to eliminate immigrants, but to encourage Americans, particularly those who feel threatened by foreigners to boost their and skills in the labor

Case study 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Case study 3 - Essay Example Medicaid incentive program is administered on a voluntary basis by both the state and territories (Hsiao & Hing, 2012). Eligible professionals have a chance of participating for a period of six years, until 2021, and it is not a must for participation years to be consecutive. Medicaid incentive program is suitable for UMUC Family Clinic for improvement of patient care as outlined in the meaningful use stage 1. The deadline for eligible professionals to start their participation is 2016; the clinic needs to concentrate on attaining the core and menu objectives and clinical quality measures (CQMs) requirements in order to receive incentives payments, of up to $63,750 under medical EHR incentive program for a period of six years (Hsiao & Hing, 2012). The program allows eligible professionals to receive incentive payments as a result of having successfully adopted, implemented or upgraded certified technology of EHR during the first year of participation as well as demonstrating meaningful use (Marcotte et al, 2012). In case the clinic will not be able to satisfy meaningful use, its profession practice will have to incur expenses of up to $21,250.00 in 2015. Medication process at the clinic will be entered using CPOE. The technology has proved successful in keeping record of medication details of over 30% patients. The clinic will rely on medicaid incentive to increase the number of medical entry of patients using CPOE. The clinic will rely on using certified HER technology to submit all permissible prescriptions recommended by eligible professions. The program will enable the clinic to improve on quality and safety as well as efficiency while attending to patients. Aggregate of numerator and denominator as well as exclusions will be provided to either CMS or the state by attestation electronically. The reported information reveals clinical quality measures being undertaken by the clinic. The report is necessary for the state

Science and Math Is More Important Essay Example for Free

Science and Math Is More Important Essay Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? It is more important for students to study history and literature than it is for them to study science and mathematics. Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. (250-300 words) ESSAY History, literature, science and mathematics are all classic and very important subject in their own sense. No subject can be given more or less importance in life. However, in my opinion, studying science and mathematics are more important than studying history and literature. Firstly, science and mathematics are essential to most subjects. In other words, No matter which subject you want to learn, economics, finance or mechanics, you must have sufficient science and mathematics knowledge to understand it. For example, if person after studying science in secondary school, it is still possible to change lanes towards law at university, but if one only does the art subjects in school, one has no possibility of becoming an engineer later. My second reason is, studying science contributes abundantly to the human life. What I’m trying to say is, without science or mathematics, there won’t be any technology, which we will still be in our prehistoric days without it. Electricity is a typical example. How will we survive if the magical power vanished? Not only it’s used for lighting but to make most machines work. We need electricity like we need air to breathe. Although Shakespeare or Charles Dickens’s work are all very fascinating, but so are Newton’s laws of gravity and movement. And actually, without the creation of paper or pen, which is science, William Shakespeare wouldn’t exist. In conclusion, it is clear that the importance of science and mathematics have to be learnt is much more than studying history and literature. Science and mathematics should be the two most necessary and impotent subjects in our modern life.

The Business Ethics In Advertising Outline Media Essay

The Business Ethics In Advertising Outline Media Essay The importance of advertising has been on a steady rise in the past few decades with a strong social impact in modern world. Advertising through social media forums is a pervasive, strong force that defines the attitudes and behaviors of a majority of the population who are impacted by it (Berger, 2007: 178). In the 21st century, advertising has a profound impact in the way people view life, the entire world and even how they perceive themselves. Usually, advertising is twofold because it impacts people in both positive and negative ways. This creates ethical dilemmas which will be later discussed in this study. This study will analyze business ethics in advertising as the study of organizations situations, decisions and advertising activities in matters relating to what is right or wrong. The definition of what is right or wrong primarily relates to what is morally right or wrong as opposed to what the organization may deem commercially, strategically or financially right or wrong. In addition, this study will not only be exclusive to commercial enterprises but also governmental agencies, pressure groups, non governmental organizations, non profit organizations, charities and other institutions. Benefits of Advertising Economic Advertising can be potentially useful in any society that abides by moral principles and caters to the authenticity of humanity (Fernando, 2009: 335). Modern market economies are practically difficult to operate without advertising; which in developed economies is more developed as compared to developing economies (Fernando, 2009). Currently advertising is perceived as the most cost efficient way of utilizing an organizations resources while at the same time responding to the socio-economic needs of the society, provided they conform to moral standard set upon the goodwill of human development and moral good (Hackley, 2010b). In this context, advertising is an effective tool in fostering moral, healthy competition within organizations and at the same time, help in contributing to human development (Hackley, 2010b). Hackley (2010a) looks at this aspect in the context of the fulfillment and growth of the consumers ability to be effectively productive and at the same time, on the increasingly large relationship network existing between people or different social groups. In this regard, he is in support of advertisement as a wholesome and efficient tool in helping consumers and the general public. Advertising is able to accomplish this goal through information by making consumers and the general public aware of existing goods and services and any new product improvements (Hackley, 2010a: 244). This then aids consumers in making informed and prudent decisions that will eventually add up to the realization of efficiency and reduced costs. In the same regard, economic progress is likely stimulated in this manner through the increase of business and general trade (Hackley, 2010b: 225). Advertisements therefore have the potential of covering the costs of publication, programming and production of any type of organization; including provision of entertainment, availability of information and the inspiration of people around the globe (Jeurissen, 2007: 150). Cultural Advertisements have a strong impact on social media because of its strong ability to generate revenue (Jeurissen, 2007). In the same regard, advertising has the potential to instill media discipline in social media and create a positive impact on crucial decisions regarding the content of media (Malachowski, 2001). Advertising is able to achieve this through the support of materials that have a high intellectual, aesthetic and moral content which is focused on the consideration of public interests. This is especially true when adverts are tailored towards possible media presentation and with consideration to the need of the minorities which may otherwise go unnoticed (Malachowski, 2001). Advertising can also aid in the general betterment of the society by inspiring and uplifting both consumers and the general population through the inducement of behaviors that benefit advertising companies and other stakeholders (Malachowski, 2001). Simply, by witty advertisement campaigns, advertising has the potential to be tasteful and entertaining at the same time. Advertisement campaigns also contain some elements or creative artistry through the uniqueness of their vivacity (Marlin, 2002: 175). Moral Social institutions like churches and other benevolent organizations incorporate advertising in passing messages to their members (Marlin, 2002). Advertising can be used to communicate messages of tolerance, compassion or encouragement of neighbourly elements of humanity. Most nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations have been clear examples of positive moral advertising because they have undertaken advertisement campaigns which are tailored towards sensitizing charity for the needy; with a focus on health and education needs. Most of the adverts have the ability to educate the general public through constructive and helpful contents that motivate people in a number of ways, beneficial towards the common cause of humanity (Marlin, 2002: 175). Though much still needs to be done, many such initiatives of this nature are already in progress. In direct reference to advertising, the Catholic Church established that institutions and organizations should follow with careful understanding the development of modern techniques in order to take advantage of existing opportunities to spread messages of goodwill in ways that seek to answer questions that plague the needs of the contemporary person (Wilkins, 2005: 115). Introduction Abuse of Advertising Intrinsically, there is no beneficial or damaging element to advertising (Wilkins, 2005). Advertising is nothing more than a tool or simply an instrument which can either be used beneficially or destructively (Phillips, 1997). If goods or services of a harmful nature are touted to the general public; this is a clear abuse of advertising (Phillips, 1997). In the same way, if goods or services are not clearly asserted in the advertisement campaigns; it is a clear violation of advertising. Advertising companies responsible for such misdemeanors usually forfeit their credibility or their good brand names in light of these developments (Phillips, 1997). Moreover, unremitting pressures from advertising companies can drive up the need to purchase goods or services which one doesnt necessarily need. This can be openly illustrated in the rampant purchase of luxury goods or services by most households at the expense of basic goods and services for the families. Some advertisement campaigns have been noted to explore sexual instincts from commercial reasons or to tap into the subconscious mind of an individual, thereby compromising his/her independence in making a conscious decision (Vatican online Ethics in advertising 1997). Economic Effects Some companies can abuse the important role of advertising in the provision of information by withholding crucial information which could be material in the decision making of a consumer (Reichert, 2003). As a deviation from the informative function of advertising, advertisers have now adopted the tendency to persuade or motivate customers to adopt certain spending habits (Marlin, 2002). This is the major platform to which advertising is deemed unethical. The use of brand advertising is also not easy because it may create many legal problems for companies. This is clearly evident in Tobacco companies, Alcohol pops companies trying to motivate more users to get addicted to there products. To curb this problem, governmental authorities should be vigilant in persecuting offenders who disregard copyrights or other intellectual properties attributed to specific companies. It is an eminent fact that many brands are closely interlinked and often look similar. Advertising can therefore motivate people to make irrational decisions in the purchase of goods and services based on these misconceptions as opposed to brand or price differentiations (which are the rational ways of going about it). Consumers should beware of such malpractices in advertising through sensitization by government and the media. In this manner, if such acts are noted, such companies and advertising agencies engaged such activities are likely to face public rejection. A large number of companies use sporting event to advertise there products even though this is deemed unethical sporting organization agree to sponsorship deals as the money being offered is in such large amounts. Culture Corruption of culture or general cultural effects can be partially attributed to advertising. More specifically, such damages are observed in developing countries because developed countries have been on a war path against traditional or indigenous cultural practices (Reichert, 2003: 105). This is some sort of domination over the target population and a manipulation of the cultural heritage of various population groups. This happens because of the high capability of adverts to impact on the revenues of social media companies. Communicators then find themselves in these ethical dilemmas because there is a rush to attract large audiences and deliver them to advertising agencies. In this regard, communicators are also observed to ignore the social and educational needs of the specific segments of the general public such as different age groups who dont conform to the demographic patterns of the advertisers. The establishment of a written code of ethics would go a long way in ensuring communicators are not faced with such dilemmas. However, Reichert (2003) is of the opinion that these codes should be formulated by every stakeholder because their effectiveness depends on the ability of every stakeholder to abide by them. Advertisers have also contributed to the development of certain social stereotypes which pit others as more superior or inferior to others. The blatant abuse of women in or by advertising campaigns is a clear deplorable abuse on gender affiliation (Reichert, 2003). Advertising campaigns have been known to portray women as objects for satisfaction of the desire for pleasure or power (Reichert, 2003). Not much can be done by either government or other stakeholders in controlling such perceptions in the society, though governments can moderately regulate such advertisements; but advertisers should be majorly sensitized from perpetrating such social segregations in society. In addition, consumer sensitization through social forums like churches would also help the general population understand that such ideologies depicted in adverts are not necessarily the ideal situation. Moral Though advertising can conform to moral principles and is sometimes inspiring, it can be vulgar and immoral (Crane Matten, 2007). Often, the appeal to such motives stems from attributes such as envy, lust or status symbol (Vatican online Ethics in advertising 1997). Advertisers still use pornographic materials and other inappropriate materials to date (Reichert, 2003). The media has also helped in facilitating this cause by making such advertising campaigns accessible to the general population, including children. Such activities were majorly observed to be common in developed countries but the same trend has been observed to pick in developing countries. The best approach to cover such kind of unethical practices would be the regulation of media content by governments. Conclusion Guarantors of ethical, moral behavior are the conscious advertising professionals who are not only focused on their duty to please those who commission or bankroll their work but also uphold the rights and interests of the general population in fulfillment of a common human good. Many people who have been engaged in advertising normally have a high ethical conscious but the nature of the competitive work and companies who bankroll them often exert irresistible pressure on them, compromising on their ethical standards. Advertising companies have also been noted to pursue commercial objectives at the expense of ethical practices without any regard to societal values or the impact of their advertising campaigns on the general population. This therefore necessitates a number of measures that need to be religiously followed and implemented to ensure such unethical practices are prevented. Some of the measures to cover this menace rest in the advertising agencies while some rests on the go vernment, media and society in general. A lot needs to be done to ensure ethical practices are observed in advertising. One such structure to ensure this is achieved is through the establishment of ethical codes. The effectiveness of this approach however depends on the willingness to abide by such codes. Public authorities also have a major role to play in regulating social media, such that they dont air materials that are unethical or morally incorrect. Their involvement should however be moderate. The public should also be sensitized against the negative effects of advertising to reduce the negative impact of advertising on the population. Nonetheless, observance of ethical advertising needs to be observed by advertising agencies themselves.

Lady Macbeths Role in Macbeths Downfall :: essays research papers

While not the only contributing factor, Lady Macbeth does play a substantial role in the downfall of her husband. She is a like a catalyst for Macbeth and essentially pushes him to do what he would not have been able to do on his own. Macbeth himself highly ambitious and determined, but his wife is even more so. At first he refuses to kill Duncan but she persists and eventually gets him to do it. It is important to note here that Lady Macbeth pushes Macbeth forward by manipulating him. In this sense, she can be related to Cathy Ames from East of Eden by John Steinbeck. Also, being a woman, she is confined by the conventions of society which prevent her from doing much. At what point she even wishes that she were 'unsexed' so she could commit the murder herself. Because of this, she pours her ambition and desire for power into Macbeth. Again she accomplishes this through manipulation. For example, at one point when Macbeth is disagreeing with her idea of killing Duncan, she questions his manhood: ?Art thou afeard / To be the same in thine own act and valor / As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that / Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, / And live a coward in thine own esteem, / Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," / Like the poor cat i' the adage? She knows that Macbeth is courageous and will never back down from a challenge and this is exactly what happens. He ends up listening to his wife. The relationship between Macbeth and his wife is strong. There is much trust between the two and there is also openness. However, the two butt heads and have opposing views many times. Even so, it is clear that Lady Macbeth is the dominant person in the couple. She is one of the major driving forces of Macbeth. This is shown when they are plotting the murder of Duncan. Macbeth asks her, ?If we should fail?? and she strongly replies, ?We fail! / But screw your courage to the sticking-place, / And we?ll not fail.? Whenever he is backing down she pushes him forward again. This is where a major flaw of our protagonist comes in. Macbeth cannot escape the trap of listening to his wife. He is subject to her commands and he knows it.

Things They Carried Essay: A Cultural Studies Approach to Enemies

A Cultural Studies Approach to "Enemies" in The Things They Carried Two men who fight over a jackknife in "Enemies", a chapter in Tim O'Brien's work, The Things They Carried. A cultural studies approach to "Enemies" allows the reader to look much deeper into the meaning of the events that unfold in "Enemies". The fight over the knife could very well reflect the events occurring in society during that time. In short, "Enemies" is about two men, Lee Strunk and Dave Jensen, who are battling not only in a war but with each other. They were viciously fighting about a missing jackknife. A question that the reader might ask themselves is, why were they fighting over a jackknife? Did it have some special sentimental meaning? These questions cannot be answered; they can only be left to wonder. Vietnam was a very mentally and physically strenuous war to fight. At any given point any soldier could snap. That is exactly what happen...

THE STRENGTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN DURING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION E

The Industrial Revolution was a remarkable time in history because it led to a new source of energy, textile production, and the beginning of factories and mines around the world. By establishing factories and mines, many people were able to go to work and provide for their families after their spouses passed away. This enabled many women and men to establish work, wherein the past they had no way to provide for a household or themselves. Although the opportunity to establish work was often appreciated, there were consequences that went along with working at such establishments that many were not aware of. According to an interview conducted with Sarah Carpenter, after her father died when she was eight years old, her family was forced to live at mill house called Bristol Workhouse. Without Sarah’s mother’s permission, her brother was then taken in the middle of the night to work for Cressbrook Mill, which took many days to travel to find him. Sarah had a bond with her brother that was so strong, she decided not to leave him and she worked at the mill at the mill until she was twenty one. Sarah then became one of the many children who were employed at such a tender age. Another young worker named John Birley had a similar story to Sarah Carpenter. According to his interview with The Ashton Chronicle, Birley and his sister were taken to the Bethnal Green Workhouse to work after their mother fell ill when he was five. Although Birley did not have the choice to work as Sarah Carpenter did, he was still treated with respect, taught to read, and given days off two to three times per week. Originally, when children began to work in factories and mines, most master’s respected their workers, despite their age, and ever... ... Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers 1842, Vol. XV, pp. 84, and ibid ., Vol. XV11,ed. by Paul Halsall, Internet Modern History Sourcebook, p. #108. Patience Kershaw , Two Women Miners, from Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers 1842, Vol. XV, pp. 84, and ibid ., Vol. XV11,ed. by Paul Halsall, Internet Modern History Sourcebook, p. #108. Betty Harris, Two Women Miners, from Great Britain, Parliamentary Papers 1842, Vol. XV, pp. 84, and ibid ., Vol. XV11,ed. by Paul Halsall, Internet Modern History Sourcebook, p. #108. Benjamin Miller, Underlooker at Mr. Woolley’s, near Staley Bridge, 14th April 1841, Testimony Gathered by Ashley’s Mines Commission (House of Commons, 1843), No. 7, p. #. Thomas Wilson, Esq., of the Banks, Silkstone, owner of three collieries, Testimony Gathered by Ashley’s Mines Commission (House of Commons, 1843), No. 137, p. #.

Creative Enterprise And Context

MA in INTERIOR & A ; SPATIAL DESIGN Module 7CTA1009 | Creative Enterprise And Context | Individual ReportAccredited Work Experience Your work experience may affect, for illustration:A lasting occupation that you are already making, related to your field of survey.A free-lance undertaking.An internship or work arrangement.Approximately 100 hours – including report-writing. ( e.g. 1 twenty-four hours per hebdomad for 10 hebdomads ) You should enter and reflect upon your experience, and summarize the decisions in a brooding papers. This papers shouldsketch the workthat you have conducted andwhat it has taught youabout theprofessional fieldin which you work. You should besidesreflect upon wider facets of your industry, and research how your work is located in thatlarger context. Your grade is based on the quality of thestudy,nonon the work that you do in your period of employment. You need to show thevalueof your experience, andwhat you have learned. This is acritical text. Refer to other paperss to contextualise your experiences. With the passion I have towards the profession of my dream, accepting assorted freelancing occupations over the past twelvemonth or so was the way I chose to be the stepping-stone to construct my calling. This was how and why I gain my professional experience and despite along the manner after meeting obstructions in the early phases of my calling, the experiences have made me a stronger individual to fix myself for the hereafter. Furthermore, because of my ability to get the better of the challenges I face, this has lead for me to hold more assurance in the calling I chose whilst being able to anticipate that this would non be something that I will repent. From the beginning I realized that traveling down the way of freelancing was traveling to be tough but because of the fact that I have the flexibleness to take the undertakings that I prefer played an of import function to maintain myself motivated in what I do and the calling end I would wish to accomplish. My calling end is to c onstruct an interior design house and to portion the passion I have for Interior Design. Making my occupation out of passion and non merely for the interest of fiscal addition has made my calling journey even more interesting. A brief overview to one of the many undertakings I took on was a residential undertaking located in Ampang Botanic, Klang, Malaysia. Residential design involves assorted sorts of planning and scope of building, which incorporate with cognition of human behavior –physical, psychological and cultural of the clients. Due to homes being one’s personal infinites which support the individual’s life style, interior interior decorator playsanessential function in communicating with clients. [ 1 ] The Low family’s semi-detached abode has a built-up of 3010 square pess, approximately 36 pess broad and 82.5 pess for its length and all 6 of the household members are regarded as separate clients to carry through their single demands. Based on experience, my function as an interior interior decorator and the designing procedure are really much similar regardless the graduated table or types of homes. The term ‘creative industries’ originated in the 1990s, with the UK authorities the first to follow it as a agency of promoting the acknowledgment of the economic part made by creativeness and civilization. [ 2 ] Creativity is constructed through an â€Å"interaction between manufacturer and audience† [ 3 ] , it can be argued that clients are an indispensable portion of the societal context for interior decorator. Therefore, harmonizing to the societal contextual position [ 4 ] clients may hold the possible to act upon the creativeness of interior decorator. This has examined when my clients, Low household have affected my initial thoughts for their home. I have proposed them some interior design thought, but at last they have commented and I took their remarks so blend into my initial thoughts. I have realized this could go on all the clip even though sometimes I am really steadfast and confident with my thoughts, but undeniably client’s remarks are really of import as they are the 1 who traveling to populate in the infinite. Nevertheless, I agreed with Parnes who asserted that in creativeness research shows that persons produce more fresh and utile thoughts if they believe the state of affairs encourages such behaviors. [ 5 ] I can see this when Mr. & amp ; Mrs. Low have affectively needed my sentiments, they would demo concern for the feelings and demands of me. Under these fortunes, I will be less likely concern about negative unfavorable judgment by them which can sabotage my desire to supply confident and better service. Rather, I feel more bucked up and daring to research with assorted bright colorss, stuff or form and to happen more originative solutions to a infinite. I have suggested Mr. & amp ; Mrs. Low to utilize dark colorss, such as black and dark brown for most portion of dry kitchen to make a different sort of atmosphere in this home. Furthermore, I have realized that I will put more into this undertaking when my clien ts swear me. I besides expended excess clip and attempt in researching options to the regular service provided, thereby lending to the results. Besides, one of the important things that I have learnt since I started free-lance undertaking is non all value is created equal. For me, I will merely larn what is valuable to clients by acquiring to cognize them. But on the position of clients, value contains many parts ; from cost-effectiveness to long term potency to the efficiency and smoothness of the undertaking itself. As when the brief is taken and communicate with them, seek to experience where they feel the value of undertaking lies. Clients need to cognize what they are paying for, non merely in footings of a touchable merchandise, but besides in footings of any behind-the-scenes or potency advantages which interior decorator has built into the undertaking. My function and the procedure begins with run intoing the client to garner information sing their demands to come up with thoughts to trades with the issues at manus that is brought frontward by the client or from my personal observation. Then elaborate and accurate drawings will be produced from the thoughts discussed to guarantee that the undertaking is good planned and systematic. Material choice and specification of furniture will be decided and I will oversee all the inside informations and supply more elaborate drawings where necessary when the installing takes topographic point. Assorted concern paperss have to be provided and managed for this procedure to run every bit swimmingly as possible. However, the undertaking development for this residential undertaking has the same advancement from the old undertakings I have done. This undertaking started in August last twelvemonth before I came to the United Kingdom to go on with my Postgraduate surveies. I foremost met up with Mr. and Mrs. Low on a insouciant societal footing to larn more about each other in general and to see the nature of the undertaking. I gathered every bit much information as I could to set up what their demands are and desire for their new home and after a few other subsequent phone conversations, I wrote a proposal dwelling of all the architectural and ad hoc services I would supply. After Mr. and Mrs. Low accepted my proposal, all paperss such as the agreed proposal and citation were signed before anything went frontward. Before the design work could get down, I had to detect the overall demands and restraints, which will be the model for the remainder of the undertaking. I went to the site to study in order to derive a more in depth cognition of the home and after taking note of the inside informations, I started working on the design development which I feel is the most exciting portion of a undertaking. Once this phase started, interior decorator will maintain in touch with client really frequently discussed the design and inside informations. I have developed infinites with Furniture Plans ( fig.1 ) , color strategy and construct. Within this development, interior coatings inside informations such as pigment, wall-covering, flooring, ceiling and window interventions, castings, cabinetwork and countertops will be decide every bit good. All the choices will be show in 3D Perspective Drawings ( fig.2 & A ; 3 ) for clients to hold better image to conceive of with the existent infinites. After finalisi ng the design drawings, I have confirmed with clients before get downing the concluding particularization of programs such as Mechanical & A ; Electrical ( M & A ; E ) Plans ( fig.4 ) , Reflected Ceiling Plans ( fig.5 ) , Floor Finishes Plans and others detail drawings. After design development, I have left the building and installing portion to my concern spouse, Mr. Alex who owns a custom-build furniture company. Since I am traveling to foster my surveies, Mr. Alex has coup d'etat my portion to finish this undertaking. Since I am in United Kingdom and the undertaking is in Malaysia, we use different methods depending on the state of affairs, such as electronic mail, instant messaging, picture confab or societal networking. In the interim of analyzing and working on free-lance undertakings, I have gained many accomplishments and personal qualities to be an interior interior decorator, which I think this is one of the intents of this assignment has outlined in faculty. First of wholly, being a free-lance has trained me to be more good subject and professional in originative industries, which is the chief purpose of this faculty. In originative industries, image and feeling of a interior decorator is really of import, as this is how client trust interior decorator at the beginning. If a designer’s image is bad, client will non swear them and delegate undertaking to them. Besides, I am developing an oculus for design which involves understanding a few rudimentss of perceptual experience from freelancing, which is good to my surveies every bit good. For case, I have better 3D consciousness as I have experienced the transmutation from pulling to existent object ; how lines or colorss will impact the aesthetics value and make ocular beat in a infinite ; how to utilize pattern and stuff in a design ; how to make designs that provide focal points that serve to honor the oculus ; how to accomplish ocular balance in a infinite and the difference between symmetricalness and informal balance. Besides, creativity and imaginativeness have risen throughout working on free-lance. For me, being able to pass on efficaciously is the most of import of all life accomplishments, pass oning with clients has strengthened my communicating and dialogue accomplishments. Communication is merely the act of reassigning information from one topographic point to another, how good the information can be transmitted and received is a step of how good the communicating accomplishment is. For illustration, able to talk suitably with a broad assortment of people whilst keeping good oculus contact, show a varied vocabulary and orient the linguistic communication to clients, listen efficaciously, nowadayss ideas suitably and work good in a group which requires good communicating accomplishments. With good communicating accomplishments can assist all facets of life, particularly from professional life to societal assemblages and everything in between, which now that beneficial to my freelancing, university life and societal life. Other than that, freelancing has sharpened me awareness of proficient edifice issues, the scope of relevant merchandises and stuffs. As working with free-lance undertaking in industry, I have the opportunity to larn about stuff in existent life. Assorted professional of stuffs companies have assigned the staff to convey my existent stuff samples and explained me about those merchandises. Furthermore, working in site undertaking has taught me how importance is proficient pulling in the interior design industries. If there is error in the proficient drawing, it would impact the existent object on site ; as a consequence this has indirectly trained me to be more careful on pulling. I have decided to be an interior interior decorator when I was 15 old ages old and I am working hard to accomplish my aspiration. For me, freelancing while I am prosecuting my surveies is an indispensable first measure toward my aspiration. With the result of this assignment and faculty, I am sharpening my accomplishments and allow myself fixing to accept more new challenge in my calling in future. Appendixs Figure 1: Furniture Plan, Ground Floor Figure 2: 3D Perspective Drawing of Living Area Figure 3: 3D Perspective Drawing of Dry Kitchen Figure 4: Mechanical & A ; Electrical ( M & A ; E ) Plan, Ground Floor Figure 5: Reflected Ceiling Plan, First Floor Mentions Amabile, T. M. ( 1996) Creativity in context.Boulder: Westview Press. BOP Consulting. ( 2010 )Maping the originative industries: A toolkit.[ e-book ] London: British Council. Csikszentmihalyi, M. ( 1999 )Deductions of A System Perspective for The Study of Creativity.New York: Cambridge University. Knackstedt, M. V. ( 2012 )The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability. New Jersey: John Wiley & A ; Sons.Madjar, N. & A ; Ortiz-Walters, R. ( 2008 ) ‘Customers as Subscribers and Reliable Evaluators of Creativity in the Service Industry’ , Journal of Organizational Behavior. [ on-line ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/job.522/pdf.[ accessed 25 April 2014 ] Parnes, S. J. ( 1964 ) ‘Research on developing originative behavior’ ,Widening skylines in creativeness.New York: Wiley. Bibliography Ball, L. ( 2003 ) . Future Directions for Employability Research in the Creative Industries. A on the job paper by the Learning and Teaching Support Network and Design Council. Knackstedt, M. V. ( 2012 )The Interior Design Business Handbook: A Complete Guide to Profitability. New Jersey: John Wiley & A ; Sons.Piotrowsk, C. M. ( 2013 )Professional Practice for Interior Designers.New Jersey: John Wiley & A ; Sons.

Succubus Heat CHAPTER 7

â€Å"More Timbits?† I shook my head for the third time. If I'd learned anything about the Satanists-excuse me, the Army of Darkness-in my breakfast meeting with them two days later, it was that they really liked donuts. A lot. They kept trying to force food on me and seemed particularly fond of the aforementioned Timbits, which were like donut holes except with a cuter name. â€Å"No thanks.† After the donuts, a large part of the meeting focused on me. They all wanted to know who I was, where I'd come from, how my own group operated, etc. I spun lies out as fast as I could, rapidly building up a backstory for my Seattle Satanist group. The Army listened eagerly, and I hoped I'd be able to remember everything I was saying if quizzed afterward. â€Å"You'll just have to come visit us sometime,† I said, hoping to allay the questions. â€Å"That's the only way you'll really understand. For now, I mean, Kristin wanted me to come here to talk about you guys.† The mention of Kristin sobered them up. Evan nodded. â€Å"Georgina thinks we maybe need to expand our activities.† There were six total gathered here, the truly â€Å"active† members. They ranged from 20s to 40s in age, and like Evan, they had that same sort of pleasant demeanor that was more suited to helping you pick out a DVD player or lawn mower than sacrifice a goat. Maybe it was just a Canadian thing. One of the members, a tiny blond college student named Allison, frowned. â€Å"But why? We're already doing what the Angel wants.† They all looked at me, and I saw conflict on their faces. I'd slept with a man far more moral than Dante last night and was in the full throes of succubus charisma. I could tell it affected them. It was part of why they were so intrigued by me, and it would give me leverage here. Yet, I also realized, no matter how powerful they thought Kristin was and no matter how much they respected her endorsement of me, I was still an outsider and not necessarily to be trusted, appealing or not. Again, I marveled at the strength of their conviction. â€Å"Well, I don't want you guys to stop†¦Ã¢â‚¬  That was, of course, exactly what I wanted. â€Å"But most of what you're doing is scaring people.† That wasn't exactly true, but how else could I describe it? â€Å"It seems like now that you've established yourselves, you should use that strength to start influencing people toward the Angel's will. Surely you'll best do his- her bidding by actually leading people into darkness.† I made eye contact with each person as I spoke, smiling and putting as much coaxing charm as I could into my voice. A guy with a shaved head, whose name I'd forgotten, popped a chocolate glazed Timbit into his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. â€Å"That makes sense.† Allison didn't agree. â€Å"If that's what the Angel wanted us to do, we would know. Right now, we need to keep doing just as we have. We are getting strong, and we need to make sure that strength doesn't wane in the face of our enemies.† I forced myself to keep smiling. These people didn't understand anything, let alone their so-called enemies. I turned toward Evan and looked at him through lowered lashes. â€Å"Why settle for one goal, though? Evan, I thought you of all people really wanted to make this group great. I thought you wanted to bring more souls to the Angel's side.† â€Å"That's what we're already doing,† argued Allison. She didn't seem to like me using the come-hither eyes on Evan. For his part, Evan didn't like being caught between us. He started to stammer out something but was interrupted by the shaved-head guy. â€Å"How?† he asked Allison. She frowned. â€Å"What do you mean, Blake? How what?† â€Å"How are we bringing more souls to the Angel's side?† â€Å"By striking out at those who deny her greatness.† â€Å"Yeah†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Blake frowned and finished eating another Timbit. â€Å"But I don't think doing that is bringing more souls to our side.† â€Å"Are you questioning what we've done?† â€Å"No, I stand by it all. It's just†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Blake shrugged. â€Å"It seems like the things we're doing aren't really swaying souls toward the Angel. If anything, it's just making them take a harder stand against us.† Finally! Finally someone got it. I could have kissed Blake. Maybe I would later. â€Å"I mean, I'm not really sure the Zamboni plan is really going to darken souls. It'll just make people want to defend themselves against us. Maybe it's time to do the Angel's will through more subtle means.† â€Å"Yes,† I cried. â€Å"That's exactly what I-Zamboni?† With much enthusiasm, they explained an idea they'd come up with to spray-paint a Zamboni with Satanic messages right before it came out on the ice during a hockey game. Still keeping that idiotic smile on my face, I said in a level voice, â€Å"I think maybe you should reconsider that.† Debate went on for the next hour or so. I was a bit dismayed that I hadn't swayed them all to my point of view immediately, but I'd sent enough ripples through them to make a difference. No matter what they claimed, none of them were really sure what exactly the Angel did want, of course, and while some were comfortable in their rut, others were starting to grasp my logic. I took it as a great sign of victory that when we finally got up to go, they'd decided against taking any action-say, like, the Zamboni plan-until they'd met again. As we walked out of the restaurant, I caught up with Blake. I'd decided Evan was a lost cause. Blake seemed to be the smartest of the group, and I thought it might be time for a leadership change. With a little help, it wouldn't take much to topple Evan. â€Å"Hey,† I said, beaming at Blake. â€Å"I really liked what you had to say. Are you busy right now? Maybe we could talk some more.† He smiled back at me, genuinely interested. I probably wouldn't have even needed any succubus glamour to convince him. â€Å"I wish I could†¦but I have to go to work. Are you free later tonight? Like after dinner?† â€Å"Sure.† We swapped numbers, and as we were about to part, I asked in a low voice, â€Å"You don't think they'll do something anyway, do you? Despite what they said about†¦you know, putting the Zamboni plan on hold?† His grin broadened. â€Å"No, they won't do the Zamboni plan. I'm sure of it.† â€Å"How?† â€Å"Because they're out of spray paint.† â€Å"So they'll get more.† He shook his head. â€Å"Not without me. I'm their supplier. I work at Home Depot.† I again found myself with time to kill in Vancouver. It was a beautiful day, and the temperature was unseasonably warm for April. So, I went and walked along the waterfront. The water seemed bluer than our own Puget Sound back in Seattle, but maybe that was just because the weather tended to be sunnier here. I wandered through Stanley Park afterward and then finally meandered back to my hotel. As I did, I again passed one of the T-shirt shops. They'd changed their display and now showed a shirt with a U.S. map on it that read: Dear Canada, Please Invade . Back in my room, I booted up my laptop to check my e-mail. There were a few from the bookstore's mailing list that I ignored, as well as the usual spam. Along with those messages, I had one from greygoose. com's mailing list, a picture of a cat with some nonsensical caption that Cody had forwarded me, and a letter from Maddie. It was a mass e-mail she'd sent out this morning. It read: Hey, guys! I decided to start a blog. Check it out. A link followed. Even though every instinct told me not to, I clicked it. Should have listened to those instincts. Pictures of her and Seth bombarded me. They'd gone to the Seattle Aquarium last night and taken assorted photos posing by puffins, squids, and other sea creatures. Worse, Seth's nieces were with them. That nearly killed me. Seth had five adorable blond nieces, ranging from four to fourteen. I loved them to pieces, and breaking up with him had been like breaking up with them too. The girls all looked reasonably happy, and I wondered if they even remembered me. Well, of course they did. It hadn't been that long. But I knew I'd keep fading from their minds until eventually, I was just some vague memory of their uncle's ex. I shut down the laptop and decided to head down to the hotel's bar. It wasn't quite dinnertime, so the place was fairly deserted. I took a seat at the bar near the television and promptly made friends with the bartender. Three gimlets later, I'd also made friends with an older couple visiting from San Francisco and some businessmen in town from Winnipeg. We were laughing about a recent movie when the TV suddenly changed from a curling match to static. The bartender pushed buttons on the remote ineffectually. â€Å"What's going on?† he demanded. A few moments later, the picture returned, but this time it was on a different channel, one showing a local news program. My smile faded, and my stomach sank. â€Å"No,† I breathed. The camera crew was reporting from Queen Elizabeth Park, another gorgeous area in the city that I'd briefly considered going to after Stanley Park. I wondered if I might have seen this atrocity and been able to stop it if I had visited. The Army of Darkness had staged a demonstration there late that afternoon. I counted about ten of them, so they must have recruited some of their auxiliary members. They were clothed in robes and hoods made out of cheap black and purple velvet, but I recognized two figures that looked suspiciously like Evan and Allison. Some of them held signs with pentagrams and assorted â€Å"evil† slogans while they walked around chanting something I couldn't make out. One of them had stuck a pole in the ground with a giant rubber goat mask on top of it. The mask wasn't affixed very well and kind of hung off to the side, making it look more like a mutant goat than an emblem of Hell. The footage showed a crowd gathered around and, later, police coming to break everything up. I quickly charged the drinks to my room and sprinted off, pulling out my cell phone as I did. â€Å"Blake? This is Georgina.† He groaned. â€Å"I know, I know. I just found out.† â€Å"What the hell happened? They said they weren't going to do anything. You said they weren't going to do anything.† â€Å"I didn't think they would!† He sounded sincerely upset. â€Å"I was at work until about a half-hour ago. I had no idea-honest. They did it on their own. I guess a bunch of them got arrested. Evan, Joy, and Crystal made it out, though.† I sighed and canceled our plans for tonight. I had to do damage control before Cedric or one of his associates came after me-and I knew for a fact they would. I drove over to Evan's house. He answered the door, still wearing the robe but not the hood. His face was radiant and excited. â€Å"Georgina! Did you see the news? Did you see what we did?† â€Å"Yes!† I pushed him back inside, closing the door behind me before any of the neighbors could see him. â€Å"What happened? You said you wouldn't do anything else until we met again! What happened to influencing people for the greater goo-evil?† He finally caught on that I didn't share his excitement. â€Å"You don't think we influenced people?† â€Å"I think you influenced some people to think you were freaks. A bunch of churches are probably going to have sermons tomorrow about staying pure and true or something like that.† Evan flounced onto his couch, speculative but still glowing with the rush of their stunt. â€Å"No, this was powerful. Its effects will be far reaching.† Far reaching enough to get me smote, no doubt. â€Å"What happened? What made you decide to do it? Had you been planning it all along?† â€Å"No. It was just decided-a couple of hours after we met.† â€Å"But why?† I asked, frustrated. â€Å"Because the Angel told us to.† â€Å"But you said you wouldn't!† He looked at me like I was crazy. â€Å"But the Angel told us to. We had to obey her.† I started to argue the idiocy of that and then paused to reconsider something I hadn't given credence to before. â€Å"Are you saying the Angel actually spoke to you?† â€Å"Yes, of course. How else would we know what she wants?† An uneasy feeling came over me. This whole time, when they'd spoken of doing what the Angel â€Å"wanted,† I'd assumed it was in the way so many religious zealots presumed they understood their deity's desires. Those who said their deity spoke to them were usually crazy. â€Å"Does she, like, speak to you in dreams?† â€Å"No,† he said. â€Å"She appeared to me. Right here. Well, over there, actually. By the TV.† â€Å"The Angel appears to you,† I said flatly. â€Å"In the flesh. Shows up and tells you what to do?† â€Å"Of course. How else do you think we'd know?† That uneasy feeling increased. â€Å"What does she look like?† Evan sighed, a dreamy expression filling his features. â€Å"Oh, Georgina. She's beautiful. So beautiful. She glows-she's almost hard to look at. Her hair-it's like a cloak of gold, and her eyes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He sighed again. â€Å"I can't describe them. Like all the colors in the rainbow.† My phone rang just then, interrupting his similes. I didn't recognize the number, but it was a Vancouver area code. â€Å"Hello?† It was Cedric. â€Å"If you are not in my office in ten minutes,† he said. â€Å"I will come and bring you here. And you won't like it.† I shoved my phone into my purse and stood up. â€Å"Evan, I've gotta run. Look, if the Angel talks to you again, can you give me a heads up next time?† He turned hesitant. â€Å"Um, maybe.† I paused at the door. â€Å"What's that supposed to mean?† â€Å"Well, you see†¦Don't take this the wrong way, but she told us not to tell you. She said to keep this to the inner circle. Probably she just needs to get to know you better.† That sent my mind reeling, but Cedric's words had a greater impact at the moment. I had no time to argue against an entity that might or might not be real. â€Å"We'll talk about this later.† I sped over to the Financial District, not bothering to count the minutes for fear of what I'd find. Nothing happened to me by the time I reached Cedric's office, so I assumed I'd made it. Kristin wasn't in the reception area, but his door was open. â€Å"Get in here,† Cedric barked. My heart pounding, I walked into his office. His face was filled with rage, and if I'd had any thoughts that his mild manner made him seem undemonlike, that idea was immediately banished. He clenched his fists as he glared at me, and I thanked whatever luck I had that he had remained sitting and didn't throw me across the room. Meekly, I slid into my usual chair. â€Å"What are you doing?† he demanded. â€Å"Or rather, what aren't you doing?† He pointed to his computer screen. It didn't have Wikipedia on it for a change. Instead, it showed pictures of the demonstration for a local paper's website. â€Å"You were supposed to stop this kind of thing! Did Jerome send you here to sabotage me and spy?† â€Å"No! They did this without telling me. I'd actually convinced them this morning not to do this other thing with a Zamboni, and then they went behind my back because their Angel of Darkness allegedly spoke to them.† As quickly as I could, I recapped the day's events and conversation. When I finished, his glower hadn't changed. He still clearly didn't believe me. â€Å"Jerome said you were good, but I had no idea you were this good. You manipulated this group right under my nose.† â€Å"No,† I repeated. â€Å"I'll swear to you by whatever you want. I tried to stop them.† He continued as though I hadn't spoken. â€Å"I am going to get shit for this from everyone. Our own people are going to come down on me-in addition to making me a laughingstock. And eventually, the other side is going to raise an eyebrow too. They don't like this kind of overt attack.† The other side. Heaven. The angels. Angels†¦ â€Å"Who's your counterpart here?† I asked. â€Å"Among the angels. There must be an archangel here too, right?† The question caught him off-guard enough that his pissed-off look momentarily lifted. â€Å"Of course. Her name's Isabelle. Why?† â€Å"Well†¦Evan and the others keep saying they're directed by an angel. All this time you thought they were just worshipping some all-purpose Satanic ideal. But what if a real angel is controlling them? I mean, Jerome's given up the fight with you. If anyone had reason to give you shit, it wouldn't be our side. It'd be theirs.† Cedric was silent for several moments. â€Å"This isn't their style. It's not Isabelle's either. I've known her for a long time.† When greater immortals said â€Å"a long time,† they usually weren't kidding. â€Å"Is she blond?† â€Å"Yes, but that doesn't mean anything. We can look like anything we want. Someone appearing to this group-and I don't think anyone is-could easily make themselves blond or bald or whatever. I think you're trying to shift the blame off yourself and Jerome.† â€Å"I'm not! Look, I don't want to get mired in any of this. I just want to finish my job and go home. And if you ask me, I think someone's trying to work you over and send you looking in the wrong places.† Good Lord. I sounded like everyone else now. Soon I'd be telling him he was â€Å"getting played.† â€Å"Isabelle wouldn't do it,† he maintained. â€Å"We're friends†¦well, kind of.† It was funny that demons lied and betrayed each other all the time, yet he somehow stood by the character of someone who was technically his enemy. I understood it, though. Jerome maintained a similarly bizarre friendship with Seattle's archangel, Carter. â€Å"Can you get me in touch with her?† Cedric regarded me in amazement. â€Å"You're really going to run with this?† â€Å"I'm not sabotaging you-but I want to find out who is.† â€Å"That's a lot of work just to take the attention off yourself.† I simply looked at him, maintaining as determined a look as I could in the hopes that he'd believed me. I also hoped the taboo demons maintained about messing with the employees of other demons would hold. Apparently it did because he said at last, â€Å"I'll show you how to contact her, as pointless as that is.† I exhaled the breath I'd been holding. â€Å"Thank you.† He shook his head. â€Å"But don't think you're in the clear. I'm still going to be watching you.†

Generic devolopment proces

The work undertaken so far has proven that the development of a process map is gaining momentum within the construction industry as a whole. The Lethal inspired CRISP (Construction Research and Innovation Strategy Panel) community has in principle adopted the Process Protocol as a basis for its activities in terms of promoting process thinking in the construction industry. 2. Introduction The need for improvement to the conventional design and construction process in the construction industry is well reported. Emerson (1962), Bankable (1964), and Lethal (1994) have all commented upon the need for change, and each highlight similar problem areas.Fundamentally, the need for improvement is related to the poor performance commonly associated with building projects. Typically, this performance is measured in terms of cost, time and/or quality. Unfortunately, it is the UK Construction Industry response to the need for change that has perpetuated and even perhaps fostered this problem. For example, Franks (1990) and Master (1992) presented the evolution of the range of procurement systems currently on offer to potential construction project clients as driven ultimately by the ‘product' view, and the need to optimism cost, time and quality. Yet, whilst many of the more recent approaches to construction procurement (I. E.Design and Build, Construction Management) apparently attempt to address ‘process issues', such as communication, in reality they fundamentally fail. In a survey conducted by Hubbard & Disbarred (1996), a sample of 64 respondents (representing both clients and consultants) demonstrated that contract time performance was a factor considered to be relatively insignificant, when compared to there problems commonly associated with construction projects as shown in table 2. 1. Furthermore, Mortgaged & Shari (1996) reported that from a total of 21 5 projects surveyed, 136 (63%) were delivered later than expected â€Å"†¦ In terms of the date s fixed by the contract or the dates given to the client for completion. † No. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Variables Changing requirements Design team Communication Cost control Identification of responsibility Supply of information Quality Design faults Contract time performance Other factors Type of contract Percentage 25 18 6. 3 4. 7 3. 1 1. 6 Table 2. : Ranking of problems with current procurement methods (Hubbard & Disbarred, 1996) Mortgaged & Shari (1996) go on to suggest that it is the ‘expectation' rather than the delivery which is at fault. The conventional process of generating an ‘expected' delivery date is considered the reason for this: â€Å"In some cases commercial, economic or political considerations can be a driver towards setting these unrealistic goals which become expectations and contract dates for lack of informed and unbiased advice.Consequently, construction performance falls short of expectations which were largely unachievable when they ere establ ished. † A number of lessons can be learned from the manufacturing sector with regards to the implementation and practical use of a ‘process view within the construction industry. The area within the manufacturing sector that relates closely to construction and building works is called new product development (NYPD). It concentrates in the development of an idea, need or client requirement to the final commercialism's of the product e. G. A building or a car. A number of similarities can be found between the two industries with regards to the activities used for developing new products.For example they include: ; The start of a project can be initiated internally or by direct and/or indirect contact with the customers ; The development of the product requires the participation of a number of specialists and functions such as: designers, surveyors, marketing, stress analysts etc. ; The successful construction or manufacture of a building or product can only be achieved if all external (suppliers and consultants) and internal resources are utilizes and co- ordinate effectively ; The building or product is handed over to the customer/client and provisions are made for future support. However there are a number of distinct differences, the most important of which is that in the manufacturing industry all NYPD activities are co-ordinate, managed and controlled using a common framework which is the NYPD process.The construction industry mainly, uses ad-hoc methods for achieving the latter and therefore reducing repeatability of process execution, resulting in the same mistakes occurring time after time. This shift into the establishment of a consistent process for the construction industry requires a new way of thinking entailing a change of culture and working practices. Furthermore, it requires: ; a good understanding of current practices and future trends ; effective communication mechanisms of such processes, such as modeling ; agreement of participa ting parties Technology can then be used to enhance integration and sharing of information. In conjunction with a process map, an IT map should enable the effective use and co- ordination of technology based on a predetermined process framework.This paper proposes a process map which consists of a high level process and sub-processes (Activity Zones), which support the various phases of a construction project and the appropriate information technologies. 3. Methodology During the development of the Protocol a number of research methods have been used: 1. 4. 5. Retrospective and prospective case study analysis; Review and analysis of contemporary construction processes and practices; Review and analysis of concepts and practices applied within the manufacturing industries; Process modeling including various modeling tools and techniques; Iterative development using feedback from several industrial partners via interviews and workshop sessions and scenario building; The results to dat e of some of this work will be described in subsequent sectionsPrinciples As a result of the initial review of the literature, and the identification of the industry requirements through additional interviews with practitioners, six key principles are considered to provide the basis for an improved process. They are drawn heavily from the manufacturing sector where process thinking and continuous improvement has been focused upon for some 30 years. In addition, many of the principles relate to recognized problem areas in construction, where significant improvements have been called for (interracial Bankable, 1964; Lethal, 1994). The six principles are as follows: Whole Project View In the construction industry the definition of a project has traditionally being synonymous to actual construction works.As such the pre-construction and post- construction activities have been sidelined and often accelerated to reach the construction stage or to move on to the ‘new Job'. This has r esulted in poor client requirements identification and delayed the exposure of any potential solutions to the need to any internal and external specialists. Any contemporary attempt to define or create a ‘design and construction process' will have to cover the whole ‘life' of a project from recognition of a need to the operation f the finished facility. This approach ensures that all issues are considered from both a business and a technical point of view. Furthermore this approach recognizes and emphasizes the inter-dependency of activities throughout the duration of a project.It also focuses at the front-end' activities whereby attention is paid to the identification, definition and evaluation of client requirements in order to identify suitable solutions. A Consistent Process During the review of existing models and descriptions of the design and construction process, it was quickly established that little consistency existed. In such an environment, the problems enco untered by temporary multi-organizations (TOM) working can be compounded. Luck & Newcomer (1996) support this view, describing the ‘role ambiguity commonly associated with construction projects. Development of this generic Process Protocol provides the potential to establish its consistent application. Through consistency of use the scope for ambiguity should reduce.This, together with the adoption of a standard approach to performance measurement, evaluation and control, should facilitate a process of continual improvement in design and construction. Progressive Design Fixity The ‘stage-gate' approach found in manufacturing processes (Cooper, 1994; ref. Fig. L) applies a consistent planning and review procedure throughout the Process. Phase Reviews are conducted at the end of each Phase with the aim of reviewing the work executed in the Phase, approving progress to the next Phase, and planning the resounding and execution of the next Phase. Cooper, in his third generati on process, saw the need for ‘conditional-go' decisions at phase gates, to accommodate aspects of concurrency. This philosophy is translated in the development of the Protocol's phase gates.Phase gates are classed as either soft or hard, with the ‘soft gates' allowing the potential for concurrency in the process, whilst ensuring that the key decision points in the process are respected. Fig. 4. 1 Cooper's comparison of stage-gate processes (Cooper, 1994) The potential benefit of this approach is fundamentally the progressive fixing and/or approval of information throughout the Process. As Cooper(1994) states, the discipline of the Phase Review activity improved the conventional chaotic, ad-hoc approach of manufacturing to which the Construction Industry of today could be compared. Co-ordination Co-ordination is one area in which construction traditionally is perceived to perform poorly.This perception is supported by Bankable (1964) and Lethal (1994), in addition to many other reviews of the Industry. The need for improved co-ordination was also highlighted by the interviews with senior managers undertaken during the research project. It is therefore proposed that co-ordination of the Process Protocol is undertaken, principally, by the Process and Change Management Activity Zones. (see section 7) Appointed by the Client, the Process Manager will be delegated authority to plan and o-ordinate the participants and activities of each Phase, throughout the Process. The actions of the Process Manager are supported by the Change Manager, through which all information related to the project is passed.In this role, the Change Manager acts as the official interface between both the Activity Zones in the Process, and ultimately the Legacy Archive. Stakeholder Involvement & Teamwork It has been recognized in the manufacturing industries that multi-function teams, established in a development process, reduces the likelihood of costly changes and production diff iculties later on in the process by enabling design and manufacturing sections earlier in the process. Conventionally, many building projects comprise a team of participants assembled specifically to facilitate the development of that single. Consequently, a complete project team rarely works together on more than one project, and, as Somerville & Stocks (1996) argue, this can negatively affect the assembled â€Å"team's† performance.In addition, many key contributors are identified and included too late in the process. Project success relies upon the right people having the right information at the right time. Proactive resounding of Phases through the adoption of a ‘stakeholder' view would ensure that appropriate participants (from each of the key functions) are consulted earlier in the Process than is traditionally the case. This, in itself, will not eliminate the problems associated with TOM working. However, the active involvement of all participants, especially in the early phases of a project, may subsequently help foster a team environment and encourage appropriate and timely communication and decision making.Feedback In addition to the direct teamwork problems associated with Tom's, the ability to learn from experience is also hampered by the continual formation and break-up of project teams. Both success and failure can offer important lessons for the future, yet the fragmented and competitive nature of the Construction industry prevents the benefits of shared best practice being utilizes. The Phase Review Process facilitates a means by which project experiences can be recorded, throughout the Process, thereby informing later Phases and future projects. Competitive advantage will come from how such experiences are acted upon. (shared knowledge may not automatically reduce the competitiveness of companies working in construction.This Process Protocol therefore proposes the creation, maintenance and use of a Legacy Archive acts as a centra l repository, or information-spine (Sheath et. Al. , 1996), for the information generated through each of the phases of the process. The subsequent increase in awareness, project to project, has the potential for reducing risk and improving performance which over time may ultimately meet Lathe's expectations. Process Development Given the apparent lack of commonality in the contemporary understanding of the design and construction process, an attempt was made to produce a model of the process which could be debated and subsequently refined towards a generic representation.The initial model was developed based upon existing descriptions of the design and construction process (inter alai Walker, 1989; Hughes, 1991), some case study data, and reviews of other published models (inter alai RIBS, 1980; Assassin, 1994; BAA, 1995) The DEFIED-O (Integration Definition language O for Function Modeling) process modeling technique was adopted, initially, as the most appropriate means of represe nting this process. The DEFIED-O technique essentially represents a process as a sequence of activities, described by a verb followed by a noun. Each activity has associated inputs, outputs, controls and mechanisms. It is this technique that has been used successfully to represent processes such as Assassin's (1995) Integrated Building Process Model In developing a process model using the DEFIED-O technique, an initial step is the establishment of the activities that will comprise the model. In preliminary interviews and workshop sessions with the project's industrial partners these activities were presented for discussion in the form of an Activity Hierarchy.However, initial reactions to this were poor, principally because such an approach did not facilitate communication of the process, either quickly or clearly. Moreover, it was found that the industrial partners to the project, at this stage, also preferred to concentrate on the general principles of the process, in preference t o the detail of the activities involved. This preference for principles was found to have a certain congruence with other models of manufacturing processes. Cooper's discussion of the evolution of the ‘stage-gate' models in manufacturing (Cooper, 1994), and other (inter alai GAP (1990), Fissions) industrial models, demonstrate this. In such models the graphical representation of the process conveys it's inherent reminisces.As Rousseau (1996) notes, such process models are â€Å"an effective way to show how a process works†. In their definition; â€Å"A process map consists of an X and a Y axis, which show process sequence (or time) and process participants, respectively. The horizontal X axis illustrates time in process and the individual process activities or gates. The Y axis shows the departments or functions participating in the process†¦ † (p. 444) Beyond this convention, there appears to be little formality in the method used to represent a process. Fu rthermore, it could be argued that the elated informality of the modeling process enhanced the contributions of the project's partner representatives.Through several workshop sessions, the model was revised and deliberated by the partner representatives. As Rousseau (1996) argues, this â€Å"participative† approach to design makes any new process easier to accept and use. In an industry with a ‘need for change' such an approach must be considered appropriate. Thus, through a process of gradual refinement, progress was made towards an agreed version, the Process Protocol, which this paper presents. 6. The Process Protocol The draft Process Protocol Model is presented in Fig. . 1 . Essentially, the model breaks down the design and construction process into 10 distinct phases. These 10 phases are grouped into 4 broad stages, namely Pre-pro]etc, Pre-Construction, Construction and Post-construction.Pre-project Stage The Pre-project Phases relate to the strategic business con siderations of any potential project which aims to address a client's need. Throughout the Pre-project Phases the client's need is progressively defined and assessed with the aim of: 1. Determining the need for a construction project solution, and 2. Securing outline financial authority to proceed to the Pre-Construction Phases. In currently acknowledged models of the design and construction process (inter alai RIBS, 1980; British Property Federation, 1983; – Hughes, 1991 provides a comprehensive review), and recently published client-focused guides (CIRRI, 1995), this stage of a project is given scant consideration, when compared to the latter stages.However, the models assume that when approaching the Construction Industry, clients have already established the need'. Whilst there is little evidence to suggest this is not the case, it would seem reasonable to assume that the knowledge possessed by speculative alluding developers and consultants could assist any client in the se early stages of a project. The problems associated with the translation of this need through the conventional briefing stage of design (Reilly, 1987) have the potential for substantial elimination via such an approach. Pre-Construction Stage With outline financial approval obtained, the Process progresses through to the Pre- Construction Phases where the defined client's need is developed into an appropriate design solution.Like many conventional models of the design process, the Pre- Construction Phases develop the design through a logical sequence, with the aim of levering approved production information. The Phase Review Process, however, adds the potential for the progressive fixing of the design, together with it's concurrent development, within a formal, co-ordinate framework. Progressive fixity should not be confused with ‘design freeze', although to some this may be a desired aspect of the process. The major benefit of the fixity of design is the potential for impro ved communication and co-ordination between the project's participants as they pass through each Phase. Given the dynamic market conditions which influence any construction client's decisions, the need for flexibility must be addressed by the industry.At the end of the Pre-Construction Phases, the aim is to secure full financial authority to proceed. Only upon such authority will the Construction Phase commence, and this decision will be easier to make where the extent of the works, and it's associated risks can be readily understood. Construction Stage The Construction Phase is solely concerned with the production of the project solution. It is here that the full benefits of the co-ordination and communication earlier in the Process may be fully realized. Potentially, any changes in the client's requirements will be minimal, as the increased cost of change as the design progresses should be fully understood by the time on-site construction work begins.The ‘hard gate' that div ides the Pre-Construction and Construction Phases should not prevent a Workplace' approach to construction, and the associated delivery time benefits this brings. As with all activities in the process, where concurrency is possible, it can be accommodated. The hard and soft gates that signify Phase Reviews merely require that before such an activity is carried out, approval is ranted. Post-construction Stage Upon completion of the Construction Phase, the Process Protocol continues into the Post-construction Phases which aim to continually monitor and manage the maintenance needs of the constructed facility. Again, the full involvement of facilities management specialists at the earlier stages of the process should make the enactment of such activities less problematic.The need for surveys of the completed property, for example, should be avoided as all records of the development of the facility should have been recorded by the project's Legacy Archive. Figure 6. 1 . The Generic Desi gn and Construction Process Protocol Model 7. The Sub-processes: ‘Activity Zones' The earlier involvement of the project's participants, throughout the process is a significant development of the conventional approach to building. Traditionally, a construction project's participants are referred to by their professional or expert status. Ball (1988) demonstrates how this may be attributed to the inherent class relations associated with each of the professions and expert groups. As with all class distinctions, the effect that this basis for organizational structure in design and instruction has is division.A consequence of this traditional approach, by which even the more recent forms of contract procurement (design and build, management contracting, etc. ) are included, is the poor communication and coordination commonly associated with construction projects. The participants in the Process Protocol are referred to in terms of their primary responsibilities, and are represente d on the Y-axis of the Process Model. It is recognized that traditionally, project to project, organizational roles and responsibilities change, resulting in ambiguity and confusion (Luck & Newcomer, 1996). By basing the enactment of the process upon the primary responsibility required, the scope for confusion is potentially reduced, and the potential for effective communication and co-ordination increased.The Process Protocol groups the participants in any project into ‘Activity Zones'. These zones are not functional but rather they are multi-functional and they represent structured sets of tasks and processes which guide and support work towards a common objective (for example to create an appropriate design solution). A single person or firm can carry out an activity zone in small-projects but in large ND complex projects, an activity zone may consist of a complex network of people and between relevant functions and/or organizations. Since they are multi-functional, members hip of the ‘zones' is determined by the specific project task and/or process.For example Design Management often has important input in the Production Management and Facilities Management activity zones, amongst others and vice- versa. Of the activity zones associated with the model, not all will be discussed here. Most of the ‘zones' are self-explanatory. However, the role of the Process/Change Management and Development Management activity zones will be described, as they present a significant departure from the conventional view of the design and construction process. Development Management The Development Management activity zone is fundamentally the client/customer for the potential project. In the Protocol scenario, it is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the project.Representing the major stakeholder in the process, it has an important role. It is via the brief prepared by the Development Management that the client/customer's needs are presented and ultimately interpreted. The Development Management is the only constant ‘player' in the process. All other activity zones potentially consist of a dynamic membership, as the needs of the project develop throughout the process. The extent to which the other participants in the process, particularly the Process Management, have authority to proceed is delegated by the Development Management. It is they who will ultimately review the work of the project's participants and sanction progress or cessation.Development Management is responsible for creating and maintaining business focus throughout he project, which satisfies both relevant organizational and stakeholder objectives and constraints. For example, a proposed speculative office development needs to satisfy the developers objectives (say, return on capital) and constraints (say, available finance), as well as fulfilling other stakeholder considerations (say, compliance with prevailing planning concerns). Process / Chan ge Management The Process and Change Management activity zones are essentially the interface between the Development Management and the other project participants. Process Management has a role independent of all other activity zones.A distinction must be dad between this conventional view of a project manager and the Process Management role. Process Management, as the title suggests, is concerned with the enactment of the process, rather than the project. Key to the success of each Phase in the process is the production of project deliverables (reports and documentation associated with each Phase). In this respect the Process Management is responsible for facilitating and co-ordination the participants required to produce the necessary deliverables. Acting as the Development Management's ‘agent', it will ensure the enactment of each Phase as planned, culminating with the presentation of the