Earned Value Project Management Project †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Earned Value Project Management Project. Answer: Introduction: The discipline of using the procedures, policies, and principles that are established for managing the project from beginning to completion can be defined as Project management. The planning, organizing, and implementation of a particular project are directed by project management. A project is the one which is undertaken with a detailed start along with the end parameters which has been designed to produce the outcomes that are defined (Burke, 2013). From the ongoing processes, a project is completely different like it might be a governance program or an asset management program. The project management plan is expected in providing the guidance to the project phases effectively and efficiently from start to end by having the ideal goal of delivering the result with the given budget and on time. The project charter can be defined as the statement of objectives in a project. In this statement, the goals, roles, and responsibilities of the project are detailed, where even the main stakeholders are identified, and the level of the authority given to the project manager is set out. It will act in the form of a guideline for the projects in the future along with being the significant material in the knowledge management system of an organization (Fleming Koppelman, 2016). It can be referred to as the short document which will consist of the new request offered or the proposal request. The organizational strategies will be defining the goals of the organization. However, the operations management team will be managing the operation plan of the project in achieving the goals of the organization. Projects are composed so that it will help in achieving the actions that are defined in the operations plan (Flyvbjerg, 2013). It is very much important to look at the relationship between the project and the organizational strategies and goals in a broader way since in the light of the theoretical models it will be lining the relationship and the methods of obtaining the outcome in the desired time and budget. The scope management in the project will include the processes that are necessary for making sure for the completion of the project successfully. For completing the project successfully,it includes all the work that is required (Gido, Clements Clements, 2014). In the project scope management, there are five processes involved such as: Collect requirements: It is the first process which defines and documents the needs of stakeholders for meeting the project activities. Define scope: It this process in which the project is described in detail along with the product that is being industrialized. Creating the WBS: The work breakdown structure is created with the help of the technique called decomposition. Verify the scope: It is the process in which monitoring of project and the control process group is involved. Scope control: In this process project status is monitored besides the project scope and along to the baseline of the scope the changes are managed. Project governance can be defined as the framework which will allow the making of decisions in the project effectively. The focus would be on the key decisions which will be helpful in shaping the project and its direction (Hegazy, 2013). It constitutes of three components. The following are the components of the project governance framework such as: The structure of decision making. The people involved within the structure. The information that is informed to them. It can even be defined as the set of processes, function, principles, policies, regulations, responsibilities and procedures which will be defining the management, control of projects, establishment, portfolios. The decomposition of the projected can be defined as the choice of methodologies for breaking the objectives of the project into the project deliverables that are achievable. It can be termed as a breakdown of the work of the project into smaller elements or pieces based on the roles and functions of each of the defined elements that are used within the project. It aims at classifying the project with the help of work items and leading to the development of a bigger view of the picture of the project management process (Kerzner, 2013). In the planning process, project decomposition is considered to be one of the major steps. The actual meaning of the decomposition of the project is planning of the major elements of the work related to project by creating a hierarchy that is based on project activities. Such kind of hierarchy will be including various levels, which will be defining the key activities that are related to certain goals and objectives of the project. Among all one of the most common methods for decomposing the project is with the help of creating the WBS is also known as work breakdown structure. In most kinds of the project, this method of WBS is used widely. This is especially, created in projects related to construction and engineering, which are having the hierarchy of activity-based work (Larson Gray, 2013). The following are the hierarchical levels into which the projects are decomposed traditionally such as: The various stages and different phases. Streamlines procedures and differential activities. Defining the milestones. Defining deliverables and tasks. In the process of project management, these four levels can be regarded as the key elements for breaking down the activities of project so that project deliverables can be achieved. Throughout the length of the project, these are the things which the process is required to manage (Leach, 2014). In the scope management, the deliverables of the project is again subdivided into the smaller and more number of components that are manageable till the time the work and the deliverables are defined to the level of the work package. The project team and the manager of the project will be having one shared goal; in order to execute the project work and for the purpose of meeting the objectives of the project. Every project will have a beginning, a mid-period during which the activities that are carried out will push the project towards the completion, and the ending (Mir Pinnington, 2014). Typically the following four phases are included under a standard project such as initiation, planning, implementation, and closure. By considering all the phases a path taken by the project is represented by it from the start to the end. This is referred generally to as the life cycle of the project. Initiation phase: The primary phase where the objective of the project and/or its requirement will be identified. In a project, a response that is appropriate to the requirement is documented with the options of solutions that are recommended. By conducting the feasibility study on each of the available options for investigating the one that is addressing the project objective is determined. The feasibility and justification issues are addressed. Planning phase: It is the next step where the solution for the project is developed further in much detail to the possible extent. For meeting the objectives of the project t steps that are necessary are planned. All the work that has to be done is identified by the team. Implementation phase: It is the third phase where the plan of the project is put into execution and the work of the project is achieved. During the implementation, it is significant in preserving the control and has to be communicated as it is desirable. The progress is monitored continuously and the modifications that are appropriate are enabled and are noted. Closing phase: It is the final phase in which the releasing of final deliverables to customers, giving the documentation of the project to the business, terminating the contract suppliers, releasing of the resources of the project and communicating the stakeholders about the closing of the project are emphasized. From the planning phase to the closing of activities which completes the work a project life cycle incorporates everything. Projects are known to be temporary who will have the specific end dates defined for completion. The activities of project closure will make sure that the product that has been created is meeting the requirements of the project (Phillips, 2013). The closure period of the project will enable to review the successes and limitations for reference in future. The two main aspects of finalization are transferring the deliverable goods and analyzing the project. Transferring the Deliverable Goods: Based on the nature of the project one of the main aspects of the closing process is delivering the product to the client. For instance, for a specific client if a new software program is developed, delivering of that software is essential for closing the project (Schwalbe, 2015). A project of this kind of nature will be requiring the training on the use of the goods that are delivered. Analyzing the project: Another, important aspect of project closure is analysis. In the analysis part looking at the success and failures of the project by the project members is involved. A meeting has to be conducted for the people who have participated in the project for reviewing the project outcome. Employee conflict is a common occurrence in the workplace, which will be subsequent from the personalities and the values differences in the employees (Shields Rangarajan, 2013). The employee conflict has to be dealt in a timely manner since it is very much important for maintaining a healthy workplace environment. Poor communication: Poor communication is considered to be one the key causes of conflicts between the employees in the workplace. It can be a result of differences in styles of communication or failure to communicate. Differences in personalities: The other key cause that results in workplace conflict are differences among employee personalities (Verzuh, 2015). There are employees who come from various experiences and backgrounds which plays an important role in shaping their personalities. Accommodating: It has to be applied when you are uniting to a high level and it might be at your own expense which actually works against the objectives, goals, and the outcomes that are desired by you. This is effective when the opposite party has the better solution Avoiding: It is when the issue is avoided simply. Neither the other party is not helped in reaching the goals nor own goals are pursued (Walker, 2015). It works if the issue is small or when there is no chance of winning. Collaborating: This is when both the parties unite or collaborate in achieving the goals collectively. This is how the win-lose paradigm is broken and win-win paradigm seeks. It would be effective in the complex scenarios for finding out the novel solution. Competing: This is the approach of win-lose. An individual acts in a very assertive way of achieving the goals without having intention to cooperate with the opposite party. Compromising: This is the scenario of lose-lose approach where neither of the parties will attain of what they have expected for. A reasonable level of assistance and firmness is required. Reference Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques.New Jersey, USA. Fleming, Q.W. and Koppelman, J.M., 2016, December. Earned value project management. Project Management Institute. Flyvbjerg, B., 2013. From Nobel prize to project management: getting risks right.arXiv preprint arXiv:1302.3642. Gido, J., Clements, J. and Clements, J., 2014.Successful project management. Nelson Education. Hegazy, T., 2013.Computer-Based Construction Project Management: Pearson New International Edition. Pearson Higher Ed. Kerzner, H., 2013.Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Larson, E.W. and Gray, C., 2013.Project Management: The Managerial Process with MS Project. McGraw-Hill. Leach, L.P., 2014.Critical chain project management. Artech House. Mir, F.A. and Pinnington, A.H., 2014. Exploring the value of project management: linking project management performance and project success.International journal of project management,32(2), pp.202-217. Phillips, J., 2013.PMP, Project Management Professional (Certification Study Guides). McGraw-Hill Osborne Media. Schwalbe, K., 2015.Information technology project management. Cengage Learning. Shields, P.M. and Rangarajan, N., 2013.A playbook for research methods: Integrating conceptual frameworks and project management. New Forums Press. Verzuh, E., 2015.The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley Sons. Walker, A., 2015.Project management in construction. John Wiley Sons.

Sample of an Argumentative Essay on Abortion

Sample of an Argumentative Essay on AbortionIf you have been assigned to write a paper that deals with the issue of abortion, you may find it easier to include a sample of an argumentative essay on abortion from others' writings, rather than attempting to write your own. There are many good arguments for and against abortion that are written by other authors, and these provide you with an opportunity to discuss the merits of a specific point before writing your own opinion.Some people believe that the government is the right to instruct others in how they should live their lives. They therefore support the use of state laws to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, which some believe is the best union for all involved. In this situation, a writer would not need to justify their position before presenting it, as it is already established as the right one.Another example of professional writing on an issue, would be a work of fiction in which the main character and reade r are the same person, and he must decide what to do, after discovering that his wife has given birth to another child. In order to come to a decision, he needs to get some feedback from other people. After looking at the opinions of a couple in the story, he may come to a decision that his wife is right, or she may agree with him. But, if he does not get enough opinions from the other characters, then it is almost certain that he will decide that the woman's actions were wrong.A third example could be someone who lives in a small amount of space, or who lives in a climate that does not permit them to move about much. In this situation, a writer can gain information from observing the actions of animals and what they do, without actually going out and talking to them.This is a type of behavior that anyone can observe without having to get involved in, as no two people, ortwo living things, can ever be the same. An example would be the way ducks behave when they are afraid. As humans , we can never understand what a duck is feeling, because they are so far apart that their sense of sight and hearing are not developed enough to enable us to do so.With this in mind, an animal such as a duck could very well act in the same way, and this is why the writer could even take note of how they do it. Then, when it is time to write about it, he would be able to understand what they are feeling, and interpret their actions. He would also be able to extrapolate what the consequences would be for the duck, since they had no inkling as to what was going on around them.It should also be understood that what the author is attempting to write about is not a personal opinion, but is meant to express their understanding of the behavior of a wild animal, and what human emotions it has brought upon themselves. Therefore, they need to be very careful about interpreting what they see, and then interpreting it on the basis of one's own interpretation. Without this, a writer would have a difficult time making it through the course of their work, without incorporating a sample of an argumentative essay on abortion from another person.A famous law professor once said 'The best law is not to have a law.' Therefore, he is constantly in search of ways to write effective papers. If he did not have a sample of an argumentative essay on abortion available to look at, he would most likely write his own, and often get very creative with it, which would result in a better essay that would be more appreciated by his students.

Discovering the domain of non â€fiction writing in the modern scenario of Education

Writing by large is perceived as a phenomenon by which people are able to express their creative ideas in the best possible manner. Therefore, with the passage of time the importance of this process has grown because this is the best way of describing things in an interesting way and at the same time it also engages the viewers or target readers in a reasonable way. What Non- fiction writing is all about? When it comes to describing non-fiction writing in a detailed manner then this aspect needs to be evaluated that this kind of writing is used in order to explore the relationship of narrative account with any occurrence or incidence.   In these kinds of situations, when people look to attain information about facts and figures including any realistic approaches or scenario then the role of non-fiction writing comes into play. At the same time, information or awareness regarding so many different disciplines and subjects can also be obtained provided that the notions of non-fiction writing are applied in the required way. The information about various places along with different personalities and societies can be obtained with the help of proper and actual non-fiction writing techniques. Evaluating the scenario of non-fiction writing with the support of above explained description one could easily understand the importance or significance of this form of writing. Principles of Non-Fiction Writing As far as the principles and other notions of non-fiction writing are concerned, this is an important aspect to consider that a clear including simple and effective approach is highly desirable. From readers’ point of view, this attribute should also be considered because of its effectiveness that readers want clear explanation of subject matters and topics of non-fiction writing in the desired way. Therefore, during the process of writing being a writer you are supposed to use two different approaches in which they are allowed their assumptions and perceptions about subject matters and the topics as well. The second approach is also important that suggests writers must use the actual information which is based on the reality so that the target audiences are able to receive the desired piece of content every time. Ancient Situation of Non-Fiction Writing Before starting the writing process one should always comprehend the ancient situation or history of this form of writing in a better way. In this concern, the old scenario of non-fiction writing indicates that from the inception of this writing tactic people have used factual data and information in order to make their writing pieces more effective and result-oriented. Based on these assumptions, it can be easily assumed that the history of non-fiction writing is very old but at the same time people have used it this kind of writing to use their cognitive and thinking abilities to a certain level. In addition, after the development or inception in the area of written languages people have largely utilized the concepts of non-fiction writing for the sake of attaining multiple benefits. The examples of essays, term papers, dissertations, reports, history, law and sociology principles are considered as the best illustration of this kind of writing phenomenon. Kinds of Nonfiction Writing The field of non-fiction writing is very vast as it includes all kinds of disciplines or all walks of life because these all domains are based on some sort of evidence and actual situations. Therefore, there can be many types of non-fiction writing provided and these are as follows: Essay When it comes to exploring the different notions and other attributes of essays in the desired way then these things become more obvious that essays are the most common types of non-fiction writing. With the help of essays, one could easily express his or her views regarding a particular topic or subject matter in an interesting manner. The essays can also be further explained in the form of literary criticism, observations, logical and rational thinking, views and perceptions of the writers and philosophical arguments as well. Scientific or Extensive Study Papers This is another form of non-fiction writing through which various advantages of academic as well as professional education could be obtained in the best possible way. These kinds of writing stuff could easily be understood in the form of academic tasks such as essay writing, assignments, reports, dissertations or thesis too. These all kinds of research papers have a huge influence on the domain of education in general because lots of people are able to attain their objectives of lives in a reasonable manner. History At times when people are required to provide information and any kind of analysis regarding the past and old historic events and incidents then this kind of writing is also known as non-fiction writing. These all sorts of writings can also be done for the sake of providing information and awareness regarding different personalities, places, and past civilizations. The people who provide information about historical events and civilizations are commonly known as historians who are supposed all the relevant and crucial data about any old thing in a proficient way. Autobiography When someone is going to write about him or her then form of non-fiction writing becomes autobiography. In the process of writing autobiographies, people are allowed to describe their own incidents and past experiences and as a result, a person is able to explain his or her whole lifetime to others. Biography Normally biographies are regarded as other’s work in which a life story of one particular person is described by another person. It is one of the most crucial differences that has been found between an autobiography and biography and in this way you can easily differentiate between an autobiography and biography to a certain extent. Being a biographer one should always focus on the key and significant incidents of a particular person and at the same time, you are also expected to describe these attributes in an engaging manner. At times, these all aspects need to be described or explained in a logical way in order to make their biographies samples more influential and successful. Wrapping Up The field of non-fiction writing has become more influential and result-oriented with the passage of time. Since its inception, or beginning this domain has brought significant impacts on the areas of academic and professional education as well. Therefore, writers are especially required to emphasize on the demands and other requirements of this form of writing as much as possible. After following the principles of non-fiction writing, people are expected to obtain desired outcomes as they will be able to influence their target readers to a considerable level.

Contrast DOS to Unix essays

Contrast DOS to Unix essays Compare and Contrast Microsoft DOS with UNIX As is suggestive of its name, an operating system OS is a collection of programs that operate the personal computer (PC). Its primary purpose is to support programs that actually do the work one is interested in, and to allow competing programs to share the resources of the computer. However, the OS also controls the inner workings of the computer, acting as a traffic manager which controls the flow of data through the system and initiates the starting and stopping processes, and as a means through which software can access the hardware and system software. In addition, it provides routines for device control, provides for the management, scheduling and interaction of tasks, and maintains system integrity. It also provides a facility called the user interface which issues commands to the system software. Utilities are provided for managing files and documents created by users, development of programs and software, communicating between users with other computer systems and managing user requirements for programs, storage space and priority. There are a number of different types of operating systems with varying degrees of complexity. A system such as DOS can be relatively simple and minimalistic, while others, like UNIX, can be somewhat more complicated. Some systems run only a single process at a time (DOS), while other systems run multiple processes at once (UNIX). In reality, it is not possible for a single processor to run multiple processes simultaneously. The processor of the computer runs one process for a short period of time, then is switched to the next process and so on. As the processor executes millions of instructions per second, this gives the appearance of many processes running at once. User programs are usually stored on a hard disk and need to be loaded into memory before being executed. This presents the need for memory management, as the m...

Applying Constructivism and Objectivism Learning Theories in the Essay

Applying Constructivism and Objectivism Learning Theories in the Design of Educational Package Software - Essay Example This essay stresses that a student with no knowledge and background of computers may find the program useless as he does not have even the basic skills. Hence for that situation introductory sessions would be required to make students acquainted with the basic computers skills. The assessment process should be such that it adds on the experience of the learners and helps them in self analysis and improvement. This paper makes a conclusion that technology on one hand has provided an effective means to learn and develop one’s skills. It requires proper introduction and facilitator, who can support the computer, based learning process. Objectivism and constructivism each has its own strengths and weaknesses and are mutually different from each other even in basic approach. Objectivism on one hand emphasizes on the realities existing in the society and focuses on the providing the same to the individuals to develop social reality and knowledge which is existing outside of learners mind. On the other hand constructivist believe that the knowledge and reality is constructed by the learners experience and do not exist outside the mind of learners. These are totally contrast approaches. But each of this approach can be useful in particular situation and conditions based on the learners learning needs. Each of the theory can be included for developing software educational program. The devel opers need to first know their target audience, their background educational requirements and objectives of the software educational program on the basis of which they can decide which

Crowd and Safety Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Crowd and Safety Management - Essay Example However nowadays with the developing world come new problems which should be addressed. The sports being played today are made as safe as possible for the people. The measures of safety are of such importance that some states are implementing reforms in order to ensure safety and security while these sports are being played. Similarly this article would further provide a report on all the aspects of security and safety in the stadiums. Cricket is one of the sports which are being played widely in the world these days. Due to its increasing popularity, it is necessary that some measures be introduced to ensure security and safety in the stadiums. Lords is one of the grounds which is quite famous for cricket and is based in England. Thomas Lord is known to be the founder of this stadium. This stadium has a huge history and is considered one of the biggest stadiums in the cricketing world. This ground is not only being used for international matches these days but another form of cricket i.e. county is also being played here. The boards which manage this stadium are the board of England & Wales also known as the ECB. Similarly to ensure the status of a ground with such a stature the board has taken some important measures. As the increasing cases of Hooliganism are happening these days the board is very careful in determining the policies for this stadium. The board has maintained strict rules if their policies are n ot followed by. Safety in the stadium is ensured by not letting any fan to enter the premises of the ground without the ticket. The ticket factor has been playing a major role in the industry of sports and thus the board of cricket is monitoring this issue very closely. Legislations in the United Kingdom have been introduced which do not allow any unauthorized personnel to sell tickets of a sporting event without the consent of the concerned authority. Similarly the cricketing board has carried out steps to ensure that ticket touting does not take place. The board has tried to improve its internal system of selling the tickets so that fans directly contact the concerned authorities and do not go for any other middle person. This makes sure that the people who come in the stadium are known and remove any chance of mishap in the stadium. Similarly the cricketing board also reserves the right to remove any one from the ground of Lords if he/she does not obey the instructions given to t hem. This removes the threats of hooligans in the stadium. For e.g. if a person is trying to create an irritating environment for others he may be kicked out before any mishap occurs in the stadium. The board does not allow any unauthorized person from entering the area where the cricketers play i.e. the ground where they are playing. The amount of alcohol bought into the stadium is also closely reviewed. All the actions taken by the board members are through the way of setting up check points wherever necessary. These check points are given special instructions by the board members to check every fan which comes into the arena. There are strict rules on the amount of alcohol brought into the ground. There is a certain quantity maintained by the board members for the amount of alcohol brought into the cricket ground. And if any person is found with an amount of alcohol more then

Horizontal Integration And Conglomerate Diversification Marketing Essay

Horizontal Integration And Conglomerate Diversification Marketing Essay 1: Define and distinguish between the following pairs of grand strategies: Horizontal integration is a grand strategy based on growth the acquisition of similar firms operating at the same stage of the production-marketing chain. (Pearce, p. 218) Vertical integration is the grand strategy based on the acquisition of firms that supply the acquiring firm with inputs or new customers for its outputs. (Pearce, p. 220) Horizontal integration acquires more entities within the same level of the supply chain where vertical integration acquires entities up and down the supply chain to control the entire production and distribution process from raw materials to final consumer. Conglomerate diversification is the grand strategy that involves the acquisition of a business because it presents the most promising investment opportunity available. (Pearce, p. 221) Concentric diversification involves the acquisition of a second business that benefits from access to the first firms core competencies. (Pearce, 221) Concentric diversification seeks synergies between its acquisitions where conglomerate diversification does not. Newell Rubbermaid is an example of a large conglomerate that has begun to look for more concentric diversifications in the last 10 years divesting businesses that are not good fits for the overall portfolio. Product development is the growth strategy that involves the substantial modification of existing products that can be marketed to current customers. (Pearce, p. 216) Innovation is a grand strategy that seeks to reap the premium margins associated with creation and customer acceptance of a new product or service. (Pearce, p. 216) Innovation is truly difficult to make profitable. It requires a significant amount of research, time, and financial resources. Many more companies practice product development and use the term innovation. Joint venture is a grand strategy in which companies create a co-owned business that operates for their mutual benefit. (Pearce, p. 230) Strategic alliances are contractual partnerships where the companies involved do not take an equity position in one another. (Pearce, p. 232) Strategic alliances can be between companies with similar customer bases that can benefit from each others resources such as a distribution network. Joint ventures are much more complicated and longer term. Each entity has rights and ownership into one common business. This is much more common when US firms begin to do business in countries like China and Mexico. 2: What are three ways a firm can incorporate the advantage of speed in its business? Speed to market, or rapid response to customer requests has become a major source of competitive advantage in the global market. We live and work in an environment where everyone wants everything now. The customer has an unmet need and does not want to wait for your firm to provide a product that meets their need. This can be an important market strategy if the firm in question can quickly adjust products or processes to meet the customers needs fast. First, customer responsiveness. All customers have dealt with frustrations related to delays or slow service. The same holds true from business to business. Quick response with useful solutions, information, and products can become the basis of a competitive advantage especially if the firm can consistently deliver faster than the competition. Second, product development cycles. There are automotive companies that have worked to streamline product development taking a new product from concept to production within less than 9 months. Todays marketplace thrives on newness, and products may only last for a year or two from launch to grave. Being efficient at product development is a key strategy. Third, speed in delivery or distribution. Firms that can get you what you need, when you need it (even when its tomorrow) will have a competitive advantage. A key example of this is the Batesville Casket Company. Funeral homes across the country do not stock all designs and styles of caskets, yet they can meet with a client at 5pm on one day and have their exact custom order delivered before noon the next day anywhere in the country. This is done through an intricate network of distribution centers that stock one of everything. When one item is pulled from the distribution center, manufacturing begins to make the replacement. 3: How does market focus help a business create competitive advantage? What risks accompany such a posture? Market focus allows some businesses to compete on the basis of low cost, differentiation, and rapid response against much larger businesses with greater resources. Focus lets a business learn its target customer in greater detail and develop personal relationships that will differentiate the smaller firm or make it more valuable to the target customer. Market focus may also be an advantage because it will reduce the number of competitors in a market. For example, if your firm sells and delivers floral bouquets, you may compete with large global firms like 1800Flowers or FTD. By focusing on the needs of the local market that the large firms have ignored, your firm may be able to gain an advantage over the larger firms. The risk of market focus is that you attract major competitors that have waited for your business to prove the market. They let you be the guinea pig, and now that the market seems to be agreeable, they will swoop in and begin taking customers and market share. Your firm may also risk being bought out or taken over by a larger firm that wants to expand and fill out its portfolio. The greatest risk is assuming that it is focus alone, and not some combination of price, differentiation, or rapid response that is creating the businesses success. 4: When would multi-industry companies find the portfolio approach to strategic analysis and choice useful? Portfolio approaches provide several contributions to strategic analysis by corporate managers. First, they allow for the transfer of competitive advantage of professional management across a broad array of businesses. They help convey large amounts of information about diverse business units and corporate plans in a simplified format. They illuminate similarities and differences between business units and help convey the logic of corporate strategies for each business with a common vocabulary. The portfolio approach simplifies priorities for sharing corporate resources across diverse business units that generated and used those resources. They provide a simple prescription that gives corporate managers a sense of what they should accomplish and a way to control and allocate resources between them. (Pearce, p. 283) Multi-industry companies would find this approach useful when it is not clear which business provides the greatest revenue or generates the largest market share or financial gains for the company. The portfolio approach is a systematic way to compare common criteria across all businesses in the portfolio. Case Study Exercises: 1: How would you describe VWs new advertising strategy? Volkswagens new advertising strategy is to regain American interest in the Volkswagen brand. Volkswagen held strong market position in the 1970s based on the success of the VW Beetle and Transporter. Sales were strong until the introduction of the VW Rabbit in the US in the early 1980s. The Rabbit was popular but known to catch fire or have other mechanical problems, giving the Rabbit and VW a reputation for poor quality. After severely declining sales in the 1990s, Volkswagen hired Crispin Porter and Bogusky to completely rebrand the Volkswagen in 2006. Crispin had a strong history of creating memorable marketing and advertising campaigns that turned around several major US brands like Burger King and MINI. Crispin started the strategy by defining the new target market, and determining what the perception was in the 18-30 yr old male audience. Crispin Porter and Bogusky used a strong web based campaign to attract the target audience, and added enough edge and controversy to get people of all demographics talking about Volkswagen. The strategy of using the web and a German dominatrix type blonde named Helga that the user could interact with on the GTI website, gained in popularity but offended and alienated woman who were also VW customers. Many believed the campaign degraded or looked over women as a target market. The strategy worked for a short period of time but was unable to overcome the mixed product message that Volkswagen was sending with offerings ranging from expensive luxury cars to econo-friendly hatchbacks. Now, four years later, VW Americas is still struggling to improve sales and gain market share. 2: What appear to be DHLs most important competitive advantages? Are they best suited to a mature industry or a growth industry? Which way would you characterize the U.S. parcel market and the global parcel market? DHLs most important competitive advantages are its global presence, strong parent company financial support, and willingness to have face to face relationships with its customers. DHL holds a commanding 40% market share in Europe and Asia, but struggles to gain over a 7% market share in the US. This is primarily because the competition, FedEx and UPS, have spent decades and billions of dollars building delivery networks and infrastructures and huge economies of scale. DHL wants to become the next FedEx or UPS in the United States in order to further strengthen their overall global footprint. In order for DHL to continue to be successful in the future, they have to be successful in the US. DHL has a strong global delivery system but lacks in US domestic delivery. This became most evident in November 2008 when DHL ceased all US domestic shipping operations. The US parcel market is a mature market because over the past 40 years the market has developed a structure and market leaders that are serving the needs of nearly all customer groups. This market saturation and duration do not leave a lot of room for a new start up to gain any ground. The US geographic is much more spread out than DHL is use to dealing with in Europe. This dynamic adds complexity and requires a larger structure to manage. DHL is much better suited to a growth industry than a mature industry. A growth industry has the opportunity for many competitors to develop the market at the same rate without one being at a disadvantage over any others. DHL has a strength in developing relationship with customers that works well in a growth market, where relationships are key to expanding the market. 3: What does eBays corporate or multi-business strategy for the twenty-first century appear to be? Ebays corporate business strategy is to be a company that provides services for all the kinds of activities that people perform on the internet: trade, communicate, shop, search, and entertain. (Pearce, p. 299) Investors, however, are struggling to see Ebay as more than an online auction site. Over the past 5 years, Ebay has purchased what seems to be a hodge podge of companies with little common connection. PayPal seemed to be a logical fit, as a means to facilitate buyers and sellers on the Ebay auction site. But, Skype and others seem to be farther stretches for the investment community to understand. If you look at ebay as a company that is in business to facilitate trade then the acquisitions make more sense. Time will tell if the online auction giant can gain the trust of the investment world and change their mind about who Ebay is and what it does. Strategic Management Plan: 1: Using one (or a combination) of the 15 grand strategies outlined in the text, write long-term objectives for your selected company that exhibit the seven qualities of long-term objectives: Acceptable Flexible Measurable Motivating Suitable Understandable Achievable. In order to increase value creation for shareholders, Cooper Tire and Rubber Company will improve global cost structure and increase targeted profitable growth. Global Cost Structure Sourcing and LCC Manufacturing à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 35 45 % of Manufacturing in LCC à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Meet Demand à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Lower Global Cost Structure à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Reduce Complexity Short Term Goals à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Ramp Up CKT 6 million tires (China) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Expand at CCT +2 million tires (China) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Offtake agreement with Mexico à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Offtake agreements at other locations Long Term Goals à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Analyze expansion of existing LCC facilities à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Identify and evaluate potential JV partners à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Analyze Greenfield options in LCC Manufacturing Cost Reductions à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 10 15 % reduction in addressable cost base à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Continue with high quality manufacturing Programs to achieve à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Process efficiency improvements à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Complexity reduction and management à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Automation à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Distribution Targeted Profitable Growth à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Total Company = 6 to 7% CAGR à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Global Net Sales = > $3.6 billion > 60.9 million units Programs to achieve North America Channel Alignment à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Grow in all Channels, Growth not equal in all channels à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Continue Support of Independent Dealers à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Align organization and strategy to each channels needs Asia Grow TBR and PCR Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focus TBR on Tier 2 and 3 Products à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Continue to develop retail sales à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Focused growth in fleet sales Passenger Car Radial (PCR) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Build in areas with greatest car parks (east coast) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Shift production used for export sales to domestic à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Elevate the brand à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Continue to develop retail sales Europe Focused Growth Targeted approach with resources geared toward priorities Existing Cooper Strengths PLUS Brand focus Highly focused sales by product segment Greater channel focus 2: In 2 pages or less, describe the grand business strategy or strategies that you will select to seek sustained competitive advantage. Why did you select this strategy or strategies? Cooper Tire Rubber Company has chosen to use new product development and joint venture as grand strategies to seek competitive advantage in the global replacement tire industry. Product Development is used to prolong the product lifecycle or build on the reputation of the brand. Cooper Tire plans to do strengthen this as a strategy by adding resources and enhancing regional technology centers in Asia and Europe. Additional organization of resources into continuous product and process improvement teams through the use of LEAN and Six Sigma techniques will aid the product development process. Cooper must also modify the research structure to improve research knowledge base. Advanced Technology and Shelf Technology combined with computer modeling and simulation will help with a focused development effort leading to fewer iterations and faster product development. Cooper can also utilize external resources by leveraging vendors and academic institutions to provide innovations and technological advancements in tire construction and materials. By applying a stage gate process, Cooper will enhance decision making process, and align it with global goals. Joint Ventures occur when two or more capable firms lack a necessary component for success in a particular competitive environment. Cooper Tire has a strong market share in the US and looks to continually expand into new global markets. Cooper Tire has two active joint ventures in China. Coopers joint venture allows them easier entry into the Chinese domestic market while creating a supply in a low cost country. The Chinese replacement tire market is increasing at a 17% year over year rate, which is a great expansion opportunity for Cooper. As Cooper uses the joint ventures for the production of tires, they are also focusing on building retail distribution in areas with greatest car park (along Eastern coast). These strategies will help to expand the Cooper business and global market share.