Review of related literature Essay Example for Free

Review of related literature Essay This chapter covers a review of related literature which is pertinent to the study. The literature reviewed here provides three different but equally relevant insights on how to approach benefits realization. A. Literature Review The Continuing Role of IS The study Show Me the Money: Advanced Practices in Benefits Realization (2005), by Dave Aron, Chuck Tucker, and Richard Hunter, is a piece of related literature that is particularly relevant to the present research paper. Aron et al.’s work provides for a comprehensive analysis of the benefits realization life cycle, and provides for five key characteristics for effective benefits realization. Show Me the Money discusses how the benefits realization life cycle should actually be divided into three phases: 1) planning; 2) execution; and 3) harvesting. Advanced practices, according to Aron et al. , lead to increased business benefits, higher IS credibility, and improved learning which can be applied to an organization’s subsequent projects. An organization should focus on participating fully on each of the three cycles. The focus on benefits planning allows an organization’s portfolio to be maximized in terms of benefits potential. The work for the organization’s IS does not stop at the execution stage of benefits realization, but must continue on until the harvesting phase in order to optimize benefits. In Table 1 below, the advanced practices for each phase of the benefits realization life cycle is outlined by Aron et al. : Table 1. Advanced Practices in the Benefits Realization Process Source: Aron, Dave, Chuck Tucker, Richard Hunter. (December 2005). Show Me the Money: Advanced Practices in Benefits Realization. http://www. gartner. com/DisplayDocument? doc_cd=137020 The significant difference between basic practices and advanced practices in benefits realization, as seen in Table, shows the continued participation of IS in each and every stage of the cycle. During execution, in the advanced practices row, in particular, IS should contribute to change management. This means that information services’ role do not stop after delivery of the technology. The practices outlined in Table 1 can be summed up in the five characteristics for an effective benefits realization program as provided by Aron et al. in their research: Benefits realization is an end-to-end discipline The business should focus on the benefits life cycle. The organization should expand its focus from the systems development life cycle in order to enhance IS contribution to change management. Some factors to consider (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005): Benefits realization is a persistent need of every organization. ? Shifting IT portfolios make the benefits realization challenge even more pressing. ? Improving benefits realization goes hand in hand with closer business alignment. ? Benefits of IT-intensive initiatives are realized through three phases (planning, execution, and harvesting) ? Advanced practices deliver optimum benefits realization. ? Planning practices lay the foundation Benefits-focused planning will make sure that an organization’s portfolio is maximized regarding benefits potential. Advanced practices should include: use of benefits framework to define benefits; build results chains to identify all the activities needed; integrate benefits into management processes; synchronize all stakeholders around benefits commitments; make benefits coaching a part of the governance team’s role (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). ? Execution practices get the business ready IS execution should involve helping the organization to get ready for change in terms of process, culture, and addressing issues that arise. Focus however should remain on the end results or benefits the organization wants to achieve, with IS continuing to contribute to its implementation beyond delivery of the technology. Some recommendations provided by the Show Me the Money study on this are include: providing support to the organization with change management capabilities; use of empowered problem-solving teams; and adapting project governance in response to issues (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). Harvesting practices ensure that expected benefits are reaped The role of IS should not stop after execution and implementation of the benefits realization program. It should continue on to what Aron et al. have coined as the â€Å"harvesting† phase. This phase involves measuring the benefits that the project is expected to achieve. The organization, business and IS alike, must: manage the entire harvesting phase; run benefits-focused post-implementation reviews; evolve the project governance team into a harvesting steering group; and conduct an independent harvesting audit (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). In this way, the benefits may be quantified, measured, and valued. At the same time, IS and business learning must be analysed and reviewed at this phase. Evaluate and improve benefits realization practices The organization will have a better understanding IS contribution to benefits and how to improve such contribution when they evaluate its benefits realization practices. An understanding of the organization’s benefits realization readiness, an evaluation of its benefits realization risk, and implementation of benefits-focused pre- and post-implementation review tools will result in better business benefits, higher IS credibility, and improved learning for the entire organization (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). In sum, Aron et al’s critical analysis seeks to redefine and emphasize the role of IS in benefits realization. That role should not be limited to the planning and execution stage but must continue on to the harvesting phase. This analysis is in keeping with the â€Å"concept-to-cash† framework of an ideal and effective benefits realization process. In such a framework, Show Me the Money reminds us, IS, and not just business, plays an important role from start to finish.

My Philosophy of Education Essay -- Philosophy of Education Statement

My Philosophy of Education All children can learn. This has been a philosophy of mine ever since I won a contest in fourth grade. All fourth graders were asked to submit a saying a that was going to be put on our school flag. To my surprise, I won and that was what made me realize just how true that statement is. However, that philosophy can be broken up into five components. The first being the purpose of education. Second, the nature of knowledge. Third, the nature of the student. Next, the method used in teaching. Last, but of course not least, the curriculum that is taught in schools. I feel the purpose of education is to create a better person as well as a better society. In today’s society, people need an education more than ever. If a person has an education , they will have better job security which means they will not be as likely to lose their job to technology. Technology gets better by the day. Jobs that required manual work fifteen years ago are now being done by computers or machines. Car factory assembly lines is a good example because the machines can now put the parts together. Another good example is in libraries, when people used to check out books they would have to fill out a card and write down all kinds of book information. Now however, the librarians simply scan the book. I do not know, nor do I want to know how it would feel to have a nonliving â€Å"thing† take your job. This could cause a person to have some serious mental downfalls which brings me to Rousseau. I agree with him when he said people should be able to ma ke their decision and have the right to choose to be good, physically fit, and happy. These three things are so important when it comes to bettering a person. The nat... ... After graduation, I hope to get a job that will give me the opportunity to make these ideas reality. I know that after a few years of teaching I will make a lot of changes as well as adjustments. Seeing the varieties of teaching styles through my co-workers will give me different ideas on teaching. I eventually would like to be able to join groups of with other teachers and professionals that will allow me to learn more about teaching. Well, there you have it. My philosophy of education. I am aware that there are many ways of teaching and I am going to be very open minded about other teachers philosophies and not criticize them. The variety of people is what makes the world go ‘round and that is why all teachers have a different way of teaching. However, I feel that the importance of these five components need to be stressed throughout all classrooms. My Philosophy of Education Essay -- Philosophy of Education Statement My Philosophy of Education All children can learn. This has been a philosophy of mine ever since I won a contest in fourth grade. All fourth graders were asked to submit a saying a that was going to be put on our school flag. To my surprise, I won and that was what made me realize just how true that statement is. However, that philosophy can be broken up into five components. The first being the purpose of education. Second, the nature of knowledge. Third, the nature of the student. Next, the method used in teaching. Last, but of course not least, the curriculum that is taught in schools. I feel the purpose of education is to create a better person as well as a better society. In today’s society, people need an education more than ever. If a person has an education , they will have better job security which means they will not be as likely to lose their job to technology. Technology gets better by the day. Jobs that required manual work fifteen years ago are now being done by computers or machines. Car factory assembly lines is a good example because the machines can now put the parts together. Another good example is in libraries, when people used to check out books they would have to fill out a card and write down all kinds of book information. Now however, the librarians simply scan the book. I do not know, nor do I want to know how it would feel to have a nonliving â€Å"thing† take your job. This could cause a person to have some serious mental downfalls which brings me to Rousseau. I agree with him when he said people should be able to ma ke their decision and have the right to choose to be good, physically fit, and happy. These three things are so important when it comes to bettering a person. The nat... ... After graduation, I hope to get a job that will give me the opportunity to make these ideas reality. I know that after a few years of teaching I will make a lot of changes as well as adjustments. Seeing the varieties of teaching styles through my co-workers will give me different ideas on teaching. I eventually would like to be able to join groups of with other teachers and professionals that will allow me to learn more about teaching. Well, there you have it. My philosophy of education. I am aware that there are many ways of teaching and I am going to be very open minded about other teachers philosophies and not criticize them. The variety of people is what makes the world go ‘round and that is why all teachers have a different way of teaching. However, I feel that the importance of these five components need to be stressed throughout all classrooms.

Volkswagen of America: Managing It

Case 7  Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ‚  Volkswagen of America: Managing IT 1. What is your assessment of the new process for managing priorities at Volkswagen of America? Are the criticisms justified? Is it an improvement over the old process? The new system of prioritizing IT projects to determine funding is a very efficient way of ensuring those projects that are critical to business strategy meet their financial requirements. However, the method of dropping entire goal portfolios simply because they ranked lowest in the list could be deemed a flaw in the system, and one that could be detrimental to business unit integration slowly over time.This understandably frustrates those whose proposals are receiving no funding, and if this prioritization system has any hope of future success, the business units being consistently funded will need to work better at recognizing other priorities, or the system will need to be restructured to allow for smaller projects to be phased in at the very least to mainta in integration. 2. Who controls the budgets from which IT projects are funded at Volkswagen of America? The parent company of VWoA – VWAG – caps the IT budget at $60 million.However, the control of this budget includes the involvement of several cross-functional teams (AKA – â€Å"several organizational entities†, p. 5) that review project proposals before final approval – for instance, during Phase I the DBC (Digital Business Council) reduced the initial $210 million project proposals to $170 million (p. 6). Ultimately the PMO (Project Management Office) subsection of the BPTO (Business Process, Technology and Organization), which Matulovic established as a new internal IT department upon his arrival, approves projects prioritized by the IT steering committee (ITSC).Who should control these budgets? Should the IT department have its own budget? 3. How should Matulovic respond to his fellow executives who are calling to ask him for special treatmen t outside the new priority management system? Matulovic should tell the fellow executives the new priority management system was developed and implemented by ELT members and senior management group. The process is now complete and not reversible. It would be unfair for any ELT member to get a special treatment. . What should Matulovic do about the unfunded Supply Flow project? The unfunded project was critically important to the company. Lack funding would delay globalization initiatives. Since the project needed full funding to continue on track and the cost was a significant part of the IT budget, funding should come from alternative sources. Matulovic should argue that the project will have a large impact on the global integration and save costs for the company as whole, rather than just VWoA. 5.On page 8 we see that $16 million of the $60 budget is for SIB projects, under the spending direction of Matulovic; on page 1 we see that some people consider this unfair – is it? Should budget be â€Å"set aside† for IT projects? Why? The budget allocated for SIB projects, under the direction of Matulovic, is fair. Many individuals across the organization were involved in project proposals and creating the process for managing the priorities and selection. The head of each business unit was a member of Executive Leadership Team that helped develop and rank the proposals for the projects.Senior business and IT members in the IT steering committee guided and approved project selection and prioritization process. After the process is implemented and executed, it is too late to voice an objection. 6. In general, what characteristics should a process for deciding about funding of IT projects have? The process of how to fund IT projects has to include the means to categorizing the projects and relating them to company’s strategy. There has to be adequate guidance for developing proposals.Since buy-in and trust by unit leaders is critical, they have b e involved in developing the process. The process has to be fair and transparent. It has to be based on what is best for the company as whole. Summary The Volkswagen of America: Managing IT Priorities case study describes the efforts of the US subsidiary of Volkswagen AG (VWAG) – Volkswagen of America (VWoA) – to arrive at a new process for setting IT funding priorities and deciding on what projects to fund. Dr. Uwe Matulovic, the new ChiefInformation Officer (CIO) of VWoA, has a dilemma in that peers from the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) have been openly hostile and critical of the new prioritization process, particularly in regards to the lack of funding for high priorities for their areas of the company, and have pressurized him â€Å"to insert an unfunded project (or two) into the IT department’s work plans† (p. 1). Dr. Matulovic position is particularly challenging as more than 40 projects have been proposed for IT, with funding requirements total ing $240m, when a budget of only $60m has been approved by VWAG.The new prioritization process that was implemented is complex. It includes the involvement of several cross-functional teams or â€Å"several organizational entities† (p. 5) that review project proposals during three separate Phases before final approval. For instance, during Phase I the DBC (Digital Business Council) reduced the initial $210 million project proposals to $170 million (p. 6) by way of identifying dependencies among projects. That is, removing those projects from the budget that required other projects to be completed before they could start.Ultimately the PMO (Project Management Office) subsection of the BPTO (Business Process, Technology and Organization), which Matulovic established as a new internal IT department upon his arrival, approves projects prioritized by the IT Steering Committee (ITSC). In conclusion, it became apparent to Dr. Matulovic that the Supply Flow Project, which is viewed a s critical to the company’s global supply chain management objectives, was poorly served by the new prioritization process in that it was left only partially funded.The process overlooked this project primarily because much of its value was felt at the global level, and not at the VWoA importer level. Dr. Matulovic found himself in a quandary and struggled with related decision-making as he understood that the loss of funding for this project would constitute a major setback for globalization initiatives based in Germany. 1. Who controls the budgets from which IT projects are funded at Volkswagen of America? The budgets for IT projects were controlled through a process that involves several organizational entities that establish priorities.There were four specific teams that were involved in this process: the ELT (Executive Leadership Team), the ITSC (IT Steering Committee), the PMO (Project Management Office), and the DBC (Digital Business Council. ) The ELT was responsible for executing the NRG (Next Round of Growth) strategy in which the IT governance is a part. The ITSC consisted of business and IT managers and was responsible for guiding and approving the process of IT project selection and prioritization. The PMO administered the project proposal and approval process.The DBC was responsible for the project filtering process which decided which projects were most in line with the companies business strategy. 2. What is your assessment of the new process for managing priorities at Volkswagen of America? Are the criticisms justified? Is it an improvement over the old process? The new IT priority management process was driven by the new IT budget constraint given to VWoA by the parent company VWAG. If the new budgetary constraint was not initiated, it is likely that elements of the former less organized and less centralized method would be maintained.In the end, this may benefit the individual business units, but be detrimental to the business as a wh ole. In creating the new process, Matulovic enabled the business unit managers to work together to make the decisions that would effect their departments using the overall company strategy as the driving element. In doing this, he succeeded in involving all of the managers that would be affected by the prioritization system while maintaining the executive leadership team’s strategic goals. This new system was a substantial improvement over the former system. . On page 8 we see that $16 million of the $60 budget is for SIB projects, under the spending direction of Matulovic; on page 1 we see that some people consider this unfair – is it? Should budget be â€Å"set aside† for IT projects? Why? The budget allocated for the SIB (Stay in Business) projects (business continuity and legal) should receive the highest priority. As denoted by the name, if any of these projects are incomplete or fail, the risk to the business is substantial compared to business unit priori ties.However, the amount budgeted may be a point that could be questioned. Instead of predetermining the amount required, he should have submitted the SIB to the same process as all of the other projects which would have reduced or eliminated the business unit manager’s perception that Matulovic was trying to control company strategy. 4. How should Matulovic respond to his fellow executives who are calling to ask him for special treatment outside the new priority management system?What should Matulovic do about the unfunded Supply Flow project? Matulovic created a well organized system that focused on company goals. His fellow executives were involved in the IT priority decision making and the company expectation is that business unit managers also support company goals. If they think that these goals in relation to their requests does not make sense, then they had the opportunity in this process to voice their concerns to the one of the process teams (the ELT,ITSC,PMO, and/o r the DBC), not to Matulovic himself.Because the Supply Flow project is tied into global strategy, Matulovic should propose that the funding for this project come from VWAG. 5. In general, what characteristics should a process for deciding about funding of IT projects have? General characteristics that an IT funding process should have: –  Involve all of those who will be affected by the funding decisions in the process. –  Align IT funding priorities with company strategy. –  Enable communication between business units depending on the funding and between those units and executive management.

What Are the Differences Between Wasps, Yellowjackets, and Hornets

Stinging insects like wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets can be a nuisance because they often build their nests near dwellings and can be very aggressive when threatened. Their bites and stings are painful and can be life-threatening to people allergic to the venom. By learning how to distinguish between these pests and how to recognize their nests, you can protect yourself from being attacked. Types of Wasps There are two kinds of flying insects commonly referred to as wasps: social and solitary. Social wasps — such as the paper wasp, hornet, and yellowjacket — live in large colonies with one queen. Common traits include narrow wings that fold longitudinally when at rest, larvae reared on dead or living insect prey, nests constructed of recycled wood fibers, and the ability to sting and bite repeatedly. Paper wasps are about 1 inch long and have long legs. Their bodies range in color from reddish-orange to black in color, often with yellow highlights.  Paper wasps build open, umbrella-shaped nests, often found suspended from eaves or window casings on dwellings. Colonies number fewer than 100 wasps. European hornets average 1.5 inches in length with  brown bodies and yellow-orange stripes. They are less common than the bald-faced hornet, which is about 3/4 of an inch long with a  black body and  gray bands. Hornets are famous for their massive, enclosed nests which can be seen hanging from tree branches or other sturdy perches. Hornet colonies usually contain more than 100 wasps. Yellowjackets are the smallest of the bunch, averaging about a half-inch in length, with yellow markings that people often confuse for honeybees.  Yellowjackets also make enclosed nests, but theirs are found below ground and may be home to hundreds of insects. Paper wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets produce new colonies each year in temperate climates. Only the mated queens survive the cold winter months, tucked away in sheltered places. The queen emerges in spring, chooses a nest site, and builds a small nest in which she lays the first eggs. Once the first generation of workers matures, these wasps will expand the nest for succeeding generations. In late summer or fall, the old queen dies and a new one mates before her siblings die off. The old nest usually degrades over the winter. Mud daubers and digging wasps  are called solitary wasps because each egg-laying queen builds and occupies her own nest. Solitary wasps arent aggressive and will rarely attack and sting, even if their nests are disturbed. Their venom isnt toxic to humans.   Mud daubers  are about 1 inch in length with a black or blue-black body and a long, slender waist.Digging wasps, sometimes called cicada killers, are about 1.5 inches long with black bodies and yellow highlights. Differences Between Yellow Jackets and Wasps In general,  Ã¢â‚¬â€¹wasps can be distinguished from bees  by their lack of body hair and thinner, elongated bodies. They have six legs, two sets of wings, and segmented bodies. Avoiding Stings All social wasps are aggressive by nature and will attack if you disturb their nests. During the late summer, when colonies are at peak activity, these flying insects are especially aggressive and may pursue you if you come too close to their nests. This can be a real problem with yellowjackets, whose underground nests are almost impossible to detect by casual observation. Yellowjackets are a particular problem around picnics, cookouts, and fruit trees because theyre attracted to sugar. Swat at that insect sipping your soda and you risk getting stung. Yellowjackets feasting on fruit thats fallen from a tree can become drunk on the fermenting sugars, making them especially aggressive. They wont just bite and sting, they will pursue you if threatened. If youre stung, wash the area with soap and water to remove as much venom as you can. Cold compresses can relieve swelling, especially for multiple stings or bites. But youll still be left with nasty red welts that are itchy and uncomfortable. Pest Control Experts say any name-brand insecticide spray designed to kill wasps or hornets or a soil-based treatment for yellowjackets should be sufficient.  Paper wasp nests are the easiest to destroy yourself because they tend to be fairly small, but hornet nests can be very large and should be removed by a professional. Yellowjacket nests can also be hard to destroy because theyre underground.   If you do choose to do the job yourself, wear long sleeves and pants made of heavy fabric to protect yourself from stings and bites. Follow the directions on the insecticide container and maintain a safe distance from the nest of 15 to 20 feet. And apply the pesticides at night, when the insects are less likely to be active. Wait a day before removing the nest to be sure no living insects remain.   A Note of Caution Do not attempt to destroy or remove any nest if you are allergic to wasp, yellowjacket, or hornet stings. Likewise, if the nests are more than a few inches in size, its best to call a professional to have the infestation removed. Sources Cartwright, Megan. Socal Stingers. Slate, August 10, 2015. Potter, Michael F. Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Wasps, Yellow Jackets, and Hornets. Utah Pest Press, IPM Fact Sheet #14, Utah State University Cooperative Extension, September 2013.