The Verdict screen-play Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Verdict screen-play - Research Paper Example It is in the first meeting with Galvin and the Bishop (who by way of his position as the head of the archdiocese, heads the hospital that mis-treated Kaye; the hospital is run by the archdiocese) that the audience clearly realizes that the major theme of the story is going to be what to choose- the so called greater good or the ethically, morally and politically right position. It is through the transformation of Galvin that this philosophical conflict unfolds. Galvin goes in to meet the Bishop with an inclination to get some compensatory amount for his client and through that acquire himself a decent commission on that. But even at that moment, it can be seen that the question that Dr. Gruber (the doctor who wanted to testify in favor of Kaye) had asked him was haunting him. After telling Galvin that he wanted to testify because he wanted â€Å"to do right†, Gruber had asked him, â€Å"Isn’t that why you’re doing it?†. This simple question was actually a leading question into the contradiction involved in making certain moral choices out of selfish motives or out of convenience. When the Bishop starts speaking to Galvin in their meeting next day, Galvin suddenly finds himself before the reality of the situation. The Bishop is seeking to settle the matter outside the court by giving compensation to Kaye, which he justifies in the greater good of preserving the reputation of his hospital. Two questions that Galvin asks are the keys to challenging the very notion of such a greater good as is presented by the Bishop. The first question is, â€Å"How did you settle on the amount?†, which actually is a pointer to the truth that nobody has the moral right to put a price on the life of a human being. The second question, though directly asked in the text, can be framed from the logic of the total situation as, ‘is it morally right to suppress truth?’, the truth being that a woman was killed by a mistake made by two docto rs. There are several aspects of the story that has to be considered when the contradiction between the ‘greater good’ proposed by the Bishop and the pure moral truth or ‘good’ that is upheld by Galvin is examined. These aspects can be, 1) it is a Christian religious head who is proposing such a solution. But Christianity is a religion that claims to be morally upright and humane; 2) It is a Bishop who is expected to stand up for all such values, who is making this proposition; 3) what is being fashioned by the Bishop as greater good will actually subvert an existing legal system,

Importance of Value Management

Importance of Value Management The report aims at making the clients aware of the importance of a Value Management (VM) study in their project. It describes the process of the study step by step, the benefits of conducting the study at an early stage and relating the study to specific project issues. It gives a brief understanding of how the VM study works at different stages and a typical agenda provides a brief review of the same. Tools and techniques used in the study are also explained. Finally a short introduction to Value Engineering and the importance of its study at the appropriate time in the Project life cycle will be discussed. 1. Introduction The (Public Private Partnership) project is to be assessed through the value management study. As the project brief indicates a mixed use recreation and commercial centre, a gym, swimming pool, park, health spa, squash court, jogging and cycling tracks with features as leisure facilities and for commercial centre would include retail outlets, health clinics, cafes, offices to let, pharmacies and theatres. Benefits of such a PPP project are it reduces costs, transfer risks to the private partner, shortens the construction period, and has access to skills, experience and technology of the private sector. This project is to cater for the expatriate and local communities living in the suburbs who do not have assess to any leisure facilities. With this project people, especially children will be able to spend time outdoors and use other facilities rather than stay indoors watching television. It also allows people to use various health facilities and do their shopping in their locality i tself. Value management is a study that helps maximize the functional value of the project under study by managing its development right from the concept to its completion by accessing its value system. In a PPP project as there are two parties the government and the private sector there are varying value systems. The public sectors aim is to regulate, deliver services to people and achieve value for money; while the private sectors goal is profit. 2. Value Management Study Value Management (VM) studies are typically initiated for a number of reasons such as cost overrun of the project, communication problems, clients not satisfied with their approach to project management and finally clients who understand and believe that a VM study helps improving the value of the project. The benefits of VM exercise are the maximum when implemented at the start of the project, particularly if its applied during conceptual development and initial design stages. Some of the benefits may be improving project schedule, improving technical specifications, generating alternative ideas; identifying unnecessary expenditure; optimizing resources; eliminating redundant features and appreciation of whole of life cycle costs. The VM study can address specific issues of this PPP project such as a better Value for Money, obtaining provisions for better quality services, quicker delivery of the project and finally better utilization of the assets being put inot the project. 2.1 Orientation Phase The VM study can broadly be divided into three stages namely orientation phase, workshop phase and the implementation phase. During the orientation phase tasks such as coordination of works, gathering of data such as plan layouts, site conditions, project constraints, operational requirements. Also tasks such as scheduling VM study location, preparing the agenda and selecting the study team are done. If large team is selected, subdivide the members to form teams so that specific matters covered in detail. Selection of the team is done by the ACID test. Authorize include those who have authority to take decisions during the workshop. Consult include those without whose consultation the workshop may be suspended. Inform exclude those who have to be merely informed about the outcome of the workshop. Do include those who have to translate the outcome of the workshop into action. The study team comprises of the following: 1 certified value specialist 1 consultant project manager 1 contractors representative 1 quantity surveyor 1 architect with mixed use recreation centre experience 1 structural engineer 1 building service engineer 1 school teacher 1 health counselor It is advised to use a combination of members from the design team and outside in order to assure free thinking and unbiased recommendations. The value specialist will preside over the entire workshop to see that the study is carried out smoothly and as per the agenda. The consultant project manager and the contractors representative represent the client and the contractor, informs each of their value systems to the remaining members of the study team. The quantity surveyor advises about the quantities of items that would be required, while the architect would provide his opinion on what would be the perfect design for the project. The structural engineer looks into the requirement of the elemental units of the structure such as columns and beams so that the structure is stable whereas the building service engineer analyses the services that will be installed once the structure is ready. Besides professional a school teacher and health counselor are appointed into the team so that th ey can provide their perspective representing the local community. AGENDA TIME ACTIVITY Day 1 Pre workshop 16.00 Introduction Purpose of the VM workshop and its benefits 17.00 Gathering information such as project constraints, functional requirements, plan layouts and site conditions 19.00 Familiarizing the team with the agenda (job plan) 20.00 Dinner and getting to know members of the study team Day 2 Workshop phase 09.00 Introduction phase Quick review of collected information 09.30 Issues Analysis 10.45 Snacks break 11.00 Clients value system Identifying main values of the client 12.00 Preparing a strategic timeline for the project Stakeholder mapping 12.30 Familiarizing the study team with Function Analysis and FAST 13.00 Lunch break 14.00 Function Analysis 14.30 Sorting of functions needs and wants 15.00 FAST diagramming 17.00 Tea break 17.30 Review the FAST diagram 18..00 End of DAY 2 Day 3 Workshop phase 09.00 Creativity phase Brainstorming 11.00 Snacks break 11.20 Listing of ideas generated 12.00 Evaluation phase Crude filtering by weighted voting to reduce number of ideas Refined filtering green dots to select 8 ideas red dots to select 4 ideas. 13.30 Lunch break 14.30 Development phase Development of ideas selected in evaluation phase 15.30 Detailed analysis of TCQ time, cost, quality Life cycle costing 16.30 Tea break 16.50 Implementation of ideas and follow up plan 18.00 End of DAY 3 Day 4 Workshop phase 09.00 Reviewing the development of ideas 09.30 Action plan 10.00 Presenting importance of Value Engineering and its benefits 11.00 Presentation Recommendations to Management 11.30 Snacks and Goodbye 2.2 Workshop Phase The workshop commences by analyzing project understanding how client plans to own, generate and maintain the project and followed by issues analysis. Client Value system is then identified by considering values which are important to the client and performing paired comparison between the values as shown below. This helps identify which are the key values of the client. Stakeholder mapping (power to influence vs. interest) and Strategic Timeline are other tasks to be carried out. One of the main steps of the VM process is function analysis. Through function analysis project components are analyzed and compared to be able to achieve project objectives. The primary function and secondary functions are also identified. The primary function is essential for the achievement of stated objectives, whereas the secondary functions aid in providing the projects wants. Using FAST diagramming the functions of the system are identified. First functions are generated through brainstorming and then sorted such that the needs are at the topmost left and wants bottommost right. The functions are placed in such a way that we move to a lower level asking how? and move to a higher level asking why? Function analysis helps generate ideas that eventually result in recommendations.   The second phase of the workshop is Creativity phase. It is done by considering a function and contributing suggestions that answer the function through a list of creative ideas as well as identifying risks involved with them.  The team generates as many ideas as possible to provide the functions at a lower cost.  Judgment of the ideas is not permitted.  Most of the ideas are a result of the exercise done in the function analysis phase.  Ã‚  The next phase (evaluation) of the workshop involves screening ideas to more manageable numbers. The ideas and risks evaluated are graded on the basis of potential savings, time required to redesign and client acceptability. They are then ranked and the highest are selected by the team to be further reviewed by the members of the design team. During the development phase the ideas are converted into workable solutions after examining their technical feasibility and economic viability.  The risks that are assessed and weighted are also considered. They are entered into a risk register. The recommendations are prepared with a short brief to compare the original design with the suggested changes. At the end of the workshop a presentation is held to give recommendations and suggestions to the management. 2.3 Implementation Phase The implementation phase of the VM study includes submitting to the clients and the design team, the VM report containing recommendations developed during the workshop.  Ã‚  The design team may incorporate the recommendations suggested into their project design or reject them.  Along with the VM report a summary of the cost savings and redesign costs are also included.  The report may include KPI Key performance indicators, schedule of activities and a Risk register. 3. Value Engineering Value Engineering (VE) is the process of identifying and eliminating unnecessary cost during design and construction. VE studies should ideally be conducted at 35% design schematic design stage. While the early stages of design provide the most opportunities for affecting the value elements, it is advisable to consider VE at all stages of the project. Project constraints should be outlined prior to the VE, as it will help avoid making recommendations that are contrary to the clients design. The elements that are typically of interest during the VE study are (1) the basic structural elements positioning of columns and beams, optimizing loading effect on the foundation. (2) The architectural design, (3) Positioning of electrical and mechanical components such as lifts, escalators, HVAC systems,(4) the use of technology etc. The study team for the VE workshop may comprise of: 1 certified value specialist 1 project engineer 1 structural engineer 1 building service engineer 1 electrical engineer 1 mechanical engineer 1 quantity surveyor VE facilitator with a specific expertise in aspects of VE will lead the workshop in order to structure the process and to better the effectiveness of the program. The team members are selected depending on the subject to be evaluated, the structural engineer would look into the requirement of the elemental units of the structure such as columns and beams so that the structure is stable whereas the building service engineer analyses the services that will be installed once the structure is ready. The electrical and mechanical engineers analyze the installations of electrical equipment and machinery such as lifts, HVAC etc. The Project Engineer shall take part whenever design aspects of the project are reviewed. Supporting disciplines like quantity surveyor is involved to assess the quantities. The VE workshop provides improvement of value through the following: The current project design is assessed with the functions, checked for technical, cost optimization. Alternative ideas are evaluated to identify benefits and risks of changes to the alternative design. Key aspects of the design are evaluated so as to achieve Value for money; Effectiveness of each option is evaluated, in terms of : Cost to function ratio; Life cycle costing; OPEX vs. CAPEX balance; Analyzing buildability and overall performance of the project.

The Silo Strangler- Creative Writing :: Creative Writing Essay

Slowly trudging through the swampy field silhouetted by the moon, was the fifth victim of the Silo Strangler. He was 15 years old, 5ft 6 and was the usual teenager who thought that the world revolved around him and that nothing could hurt him. His father laid down the rules in his house and the one he, made a point of most was that Andy should not sneak out of his bedroom and night to go and drink with his friends. Not only was it illegal for him to be drinking, the Silo Strangler was lurking around and had already killed four people in the vicinity of the village. It was violating this rule that got Andy killed. It started as soon as he climbed out of his bedroom window at 10:30PM. He shuffled down the cast iron drainpipe down the side of his house to the ground, he sneaked around the house in total stealth making sure nobody saw him. He crossed the well-lit main road, which spoiled the serenity of the village, bringing more people to the village who bought houses for obscene amounts of money and the Buttermilk Bluebeard. Then he climbed awkwardly through the barbed wire fence trying his best not to damage himself or his clothing as his parents would know he had been out if he did. Now he was in the field he could not run through it, he had to slowly walk, down the edge of the field, as there was corn on the cob growing in it so he had to take care not to stand on or trip over one of the corn plants. When he came to the end of this field he had could run through the next field then he had to walk through the woods to the other side of the village. The woods were strange place, especially in the dark when everything seemed to change. Trees looked like people. Branches looked like arms and normal noises like and owls hooting, or a bird setting of to fly made you feel like you were being watched.

Reading Maketh a Full Man Essay

Did you know that there are nearly 800 million people around the world today who cannot read? All 320 of us can, but so many others can’t. And that’s when we realize just how important reading really is. Good morning, respected judges, teachers and dear friends. My name is Merlin Raphael and I’m here to talk about how reading makes a man. There was a time, without any screens, when reading was a popular leisure activity. People would spend hours reading and travelling to distant, exotic lands -in their minds, with only a leather bound book. But somewhere along the road, the passion to read is lost. And that’s just sad because reading offers a completely new life. Sir Francis Bacon, once said, and I quote, â€Å"Reading maketh a full man.† And he couldn’t be more correct. Reading involves a considerable level of concentration and thus, nurtures patience. Such an indulgence constantly elevates one’s vocabulary and knowledge. In fact, the habit can become a healthy addiction and helps us to stay in-touch with contemporary writers as well as those from the past. It also helps us to deal with issues of the modern world. Reading different types of texts make an even fuller man. What I mean is that he kind of knowledge you get from news articles is very different from reading stories. Being ignorant can be prevented with reading. It opens this huge wooden window and we finally start understanding other people and their lives. And a deeper awareness leads to tolerance and respect, creating a more civilized society. Furthermore, when one is caught up in a book, one comes across an array of emotions and somewhere in the middle; we find the sheer happiness of the reader. Lack of reading in one’s life can hinder gaining new knowledge, professional growth and the pure pleasure of reading. After all, no reading might even disturb one’s integrity. According to Confucius, we must find time for reading or surrender to â€Å"self-chosen ignorance†. You guys, reading is not merely a process of examining and understanding a text. There is a certain aura of finesse around one who reads. If a person can obtain so much from it, I think it’s safe to say that reading make a man.

International Trade & Finance Speech Essay

International trade is essentially when two or more countries exchange goods and services. Many countries export their goods and services to other countries and in turn, they can also import goods and services from other countries to into their own. Advancements with technology have made it a lot easier for international trade to take place. Communication between countries is a good example. Communicating has vastly improved and helped to simplify the trading process. Some technologically advanced countries, like Japan and China have bountiful natural resources and that has a heavy impact on us. The United States is one of the largest contributors to international trade. Our GDP (Gross Domestic Product), is greatly impacted due to being huge import consumers. The United States relies heavily on products from other countries and we import much more than we export. Not only does this impact our GDP by lowering it as we import more than export, is also has an impact on our domestic markets because we are buying more from other countries. In regard to Foreign Exchange Rates, it is very important to know how they are determined. Considering economic growth within a country is important, governments can make certain that fiscal and monetary policies are in place to ensure that growth continues. Due to the goods and services that are traded between different countries around the world, there are foreign exchange rate payments that are required to be paid. You will see the foreign exchange rate differ from country to country. What happens when there is a surplus of imports brought into the U.S.? Cite a specific example of a product with an import surplus and the impact that it has on the U.S. Businesses and Consumers involved. First, it is important to try and keep imports and exports balanced. However, when one exceeds the other, it is called a surplus. Having a surplus of imports can create a lower price for the consumer, and have a positive effect on the employment rate of the country where the product was obtained. Seafood is a good example of a product with surplus. There are several states, mainly coastal states that have fishing boats out at sea for many months catching lobster, fish, crabs, etc. The seafood that is collected is used for both domestic sales and international export. This allows for several options when selecting fish, etc at the grocery store. It also increases your selection when out dining at a restaurant. A downfall could be that a surplus of seafood, fish, etc could result in a declining need for domestic fisherman to work and this could cause layoffs and cutbacks. What are the effects of International Trade to GDP, Domestic markets and University Students? GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product and international trade. GDP is the market value of all final goods and services produced in an economy in a one year period. (Colander, 2010) International trade is the exchange of goods and services between two or more countries. International trade greatly affects the GDP due to the fact that is we are able to have goods produced outside of the United States and the imported for sale at a cheaper cost than if we were to produce here, the consumer demands will increase and therefore help the GDP. Domestic markets are also affected by international trade as they have the ability to have products manufactured outside the United States at cheaper rates. This takes away from domestic manufactured product sales and could increase unemployment. On the reverse, it could affect domestic markets positively, as domestic retailers could mark up the products to consumers and keep the additional profit. International trade affects University students in a much different way. Suppose there was an increased demand for innovative ideas and qualified individuals to help keep our domestic markets alive? A University student could be a huge asset there. Also, the higher the GDP, more jobs will be available. If the GDP crashes, graduates should probably look for a job in another country. How do Government choices in regards to tariffs and quotas affect international relations and trade? Both International relations and trade are greatly affected by government decisions that are made about tariffs and quotas. Tariffs are the most familiar and most commonly used type of trade restriction. Tariffs are most often recognized as taxes here in the United States. Quotas are quantity limits that are placed on imports. These limits are decided by the government. The choices made by the government as it relates to additional fees for imports and limitations placed on the amount of imports directly affects international relations and trade. The positive side to this is that the government has the ability to control trade between themselves and other countries. This allows the United States to be picky. The ability to raise or lower tariff amounts gives us the power to possibly do business with underprivileged countries simply by lowering the tariffs as an incentive. They can also raise the tariff as a means to end relations with a country. What are foreign exchange rates? How are they determined? In regard to Foreign Exchange Rates, it is very important to know how they are determined. Considering economic growth within a country is important, governments can make certain that fiscal and monetary policies are in place to ensure that growth continues. Due to the goods and services that are traded between different countries around the world, there are foreign exchange rate payments that are required to be paid. You will see the foreign exchange rate differ from country to country. Why doesn’t the U.S. simply restrict all goods coming in from China? Why can’t the U.S. just minimize the amounts of imports coming in from all other countries? To put it simply, it is not possible for the U.S. to restrict all goods from China. This is mainly because there is an enormous trade deficit between us and China. China currently holds a very large portion of our nation’s debt and it would be a bad business decision to try and end relations when we still have a large debt owed to them. Not only do we have a large debt owed to China, the U.S. consumer has a very large demand for products that are made in China. China is one of the largest manufacturers of electronics and other luxury items, like the Iphone, Ipad, Ipod that we have come to rely upon. If we were to restrict all goods, we would not only destroy our economy, but also China’s economy. References: Colander, D.C. (2010). Macroeconomics. (8th ed). Boston, MA: Mcgraw-Hill/Irwin Trading Economics. (2012) United States Consumer Confidence. Retrieved from http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-states/consumer-confidence.