Saturday, December 28, 2019
Eating Disorders Have Multiple Complex Causes; The Media...
When the topic of eating disorders (ED), anorexia, bulimia, starving, purging, or any other form of self harm is brought into an everyday conversation, it is simply looked at as nothing out of them norm and is just brushed off as if the topic was concerning what the President had for lunch that day. At first glance, the average person would probably conclude that the main reason eating disorders are so noted in young women today is simply due to the fact that the media puts so much pressure on these women to be ââ¬Å"perfectâ⬠. Eating disorders are a very prominent and common factor in our society, it is not something anyone can really evade. There are many theories as to what causes eating disorders. Although doctors and ED specialists cannotâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦The National Association of Anorexia and Associated Disorders states that anorexia nervosa is ââ¬Å"characterized by emaciation, a relentless pursuit of thinness and unwillingness to maintain a normal or hea lthy weightâ⬠and those who have anorexia will ââ¬Å"lose weight by dieting and exercising excessively; others lose weight by self-induced vomiting, or misusing laxatives, diuretics or enemasâ⬠. Although one in 200 American women suffers from an eating disorder and an estimated 8 million people suffer from this disease today ââ¬â seven million women and one million men, eating disorders are nothing new (Mantell). Anorexia has origins as far back as the 12th and 13th century. Religious women, often referred to as ââ¬Å"holy anorexicsâ⬠, were praised for their fasting practices; even denoted to as true saints (Kuenhal). These women held very high positions and statusââ¬â¢s in the church for their holy obligation and will to fast for their lord. However, bulimia was significantly demonstrated by vomitoriums in the time of Caesar (700 B.C.). The famous line ââ¬Å"Eat, drink, and be merry.â⬠was highly stressed; it included vomiting, so that said individual could return to their eating, their drinking, and their exuberance. People do not often realize how far back nervosa anorexia, nervosa bulimia, and binge eating traces to. Catherine of Siena was thought to have someShow MoreRelatedEating Disorders And Their Effects On Victims Of Them1281 Words à |à 6 Pagesthoughts someone suffering an eating disorder hear every second of a day. In this essay, I will explain eating disorders and their effects on victims of them. Eating disorders are major health risks, and can be life-threatening. Eating disorders are defined as abnormal eating habits and extreme worry about oneââ¬â¢s body image. They are mental illnesses that exist in both males and females, but are most commonly seen in females between the ages of 12-25. Eating disorders are not only about losing weightRead MoreEating Disorders Are Potentially Life Threatening Illnesses Essay1912 Words à |à 8 Pagesball, trying to find a partner, and getting a dress. She decided to drop weight before this special occasion. While at the ball, Amy received multiple compliments about her weight loss. This was a contributing factor to her Anorexia. Soon after, Amyââ¬â¢s family noticed she was still dropping weight. Amy was then given the opportunity to meet with an eating disorder therapist (Amy). Since starting this therapy, Amyââ¬â¢s life has changed dramatically. She began to put on weight, the grip that anorexia had onRead MoreTo Be or Not to Be Barbie Essay1730 Words à |à 7 PagesEvery woman grows up knowing that they one day want to be beautiful. In Marge Piercyââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"Barbie Dollâ⬠she gives an in-depth look at what negative effects the concept of beauty can have on an individual. From infancy to a full-grown adult woman, beauty has been a way of thinking and lifestyle. As a little girl you are given petite shaped, blonde, blue-eyed dolls. While boys are given brawny soldiers and mechanical toys. What do little girls do with these dolls? They put on fresh makeup, change theirRead MoreChildhood Obesity And Its Effects On Children3537 Words à |à 15 PagesIf you have been anywhere near a TV screen or any other form of media outlet, lets say in the past ten years, you are probably aware of the word obesity. Probably not only just aware but have come to understand that as a nation we have been battling our own obesity epidemic on a super sized scale. We are continuously reminded of the physical consequences of obesity but not much coverage has raised awareness to the psychological outcomes. It has always been declared that the future of our nation liesRead MoreEtiology, Predispositions, And Vulnerabilities1738 Words à |à 7 PagesEtiology, Predispositions and Vulnerabilities Various models have been designed to explain the how IAD develops in an individual and how it is then maintained. These models draw from different fields of psychology such to determine different theorised causes for the addiction such as biological factors (such as chemical imbalances making one more susceptible to addiction), psychological predispositions (such as other mental health problems or personality) and social factors (such as culture, socio-economicRead MoreEating Disorders and Free Essays8687 Words à |à 35 Pagesï » ¿2 = 2 dfhnmxpd h Free Essays Home | Search Essays | FAQ | Guarantees | Privacy | Lost Essay? | Contact Search Results eating disorder Free Essays Unrated Essays Better Essays Stronger Essays Powerful Essays Term Papers Research Papers Search by keyword: Sort By: Your search returned over 400 essays for eating disorder. To narrow your search results, please add more search terms to your query. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [Next ] These results are sorted by most relevantRead MoreThe Suicide Is Preventable?1975 Words à |à 8 Pageslead to mental illnesses, which may cause suicidal distress in countless adolescents. Currently, suicide is the third-leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 15 to 24 (Gould 6). But no matter what age group or circumstance, suicide is a growing health concern that needs whole-hearted attention and preventative matters. The risk factors for suicide distress are endless and there is not just one specific factor that leads to suicide. Multiple factors could be grouped together orRead MoreThe Impact of Media on Teens3822 Words à |à 16 PagesThe Impact of the Media on Teenagers Ashley J. Sanchez-Menjivar Mr. Tramble HSP3M1-01 Friday, December 14, 2012. Many adolescent teens are exposed to numerous encounters with the media that have a negative impact on their judgments, actions, and opinions. This is referring to the video games, movies, television shows, and magazines that surround them everyday. We begin to discover how it effects their decisions and behaviors. Adolescence is a time when young people are identifying importantRead MoreChild Obesity Paper2748 Words à |à 11 Pagesobesity? The term child obesity means, ââ¬Å"A child is between birth and puberty and is extremely overweight and has a body mass index BMI at or the 95th percentile.â⬠(Hassink, 2006) This disease is caused by lack of exercise and over-eating by a child. Child obesity can cause many medical problems; for a child that suffers from obesity, issues such as high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression and Type 2 Diabetes can occur. In the article ââ¬Å"Childhood ObesityRead MoreEssay Dissociative Identity Disorder4445 Words à |à 18 PagesDissociative Identity Disorder Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID, is defined as: ââ¬Å"The result of a marvelously creative defense mechanism that a young child uses to cope with extremely overwhelming traumaâ⬠(Hawkins, 2003, p. 3). Ross describes DID in this way: ââ¬Å"In its childhood onset forms, the disorder is an effective strategy for coping with a traumatic environment: It becomes dysfunctional because environmental circumstances have changed by adulthoodâ⬠(1997, p, 62). What types of traumatic
Friday, December 20, 2019
Imperialism - 656 Words
What Was the Driving Force Behind European Imperialism in Africa? During the 19th century, King Leopold II of Belgium compared Africa to a cake. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, seven European nations took slices of Africa for themselves without discussing any details with Africans. From a 21st century perspective, this seems like a selfish thing to have done, so why did Europeans engage in imperialism? Certainly, political factors, cultural causes, and technological advancements were important. But the primary cause was economic. European nations competed to exploit the rich resources of Africa for financial and commercial gain. Much of European imperialism in Africa came as a result of political causes. There were sevenâ⬠¦show more contentâ⬠¦As the African chief argues, England was preying on Africa like a chameleon, and Africa was the fly (Doc F). Although many Europeans supported the Rudyard Kipplings belief that is was the duty and ââ¬Å"Burdenâ⬠of Whites to help cure sickness and famine in Africa, the primary driving force behind European imperialism in Africa was economic. (F) As they competed for political power, Europeans wanted to increase trade (Doc B). Many Europeans, like Ruskin of England and Fabri of Germany, believed they were in a competition and trade was the game (Doc B). Europeans wanted to acquire all the rich resources available in Africa that were not available in Europe, such as rubber, ivory, and various minerals (Doc D). In addition to bringing them resources, imperialism also allowed European nations to create new markets for selling their goods that further enriched them. British imports from the subà Sahara doubled between 1854 and 1900. Exports, however, grew from 2 million pounds in 1854 to over 20 million pounds in 1900 (Doc E). The wealth European countries gained from imperialism reinforced their political power, which made it the most important cause of imperialism. National competition and attitudes of cult ural superiority may have been important, but they were driven by economic motives. The competition within Europe over territory in Africa hadShow MoreRelatedThe Goals Of Imperialism714 Words à |à 3 PagesImperialism has increased peace and stability for various areas of the world through limiting slavery, improving land distribution and promoting different political systems. The first topic that I will be addressing is slavery. The goal of imperialism was to help areas who seem ââ¬Å"uncivilizedâ⬠, and from the start of this movement many people stated that they wanted to abolish slavery. Thomas Sowell (an american economist) once explained, ââ¬Å"The anti-slavery movement was spearheaded by people who wouldRead MoreCauses Of Imperialism843 Words à |à 4 Pagesprevious historical tension and nationalism. Supporting evidence shows that imperialism was the main and most significant factor of the outbreak of World War 1. Imperialism is defined as the domination of one countryââ¬â¢s political, economic or cultural life by another. European countries had been establishing colonies and building empires since the late 1400ââ¬â¢s. The period of 1850 to 1914 is often referred to as the ââ¬Å"Age of Imperialismâ⬠, since a lot of powers used their military, technological and commercialRead MoreAmerican Imperialism797 Words à |à 4 PagesAssociate Program Material Appendix A American Imperialism Part 1 Complete the chart by identifying the following: Identify the countries or areas where the United States engaged in countries or areas where the United States engaged in imperialistic actions during the period from about 1870 to 1914. Discuss why each area was important to American empire buildingââ¬âpolitical, economic, and social. Explain Americaââ¬â¢s expansionist ideals. What were some factors that justified AmericanRead MoreImperialism in Burma1739 Words à |à 7 Pagesfertile soil, and one of the healthiest climates in the tropics. Britain desired these features, so they imperialized the whole country in 1885 and imposed colonial rule throughout Burma. Imperialism isâ⬠¦ The British benefit and hurt the country in many ways, completely changing the country forever. Western imperialism in Burma was more costly than beneficial; even though the British improved and modernized education, transportation, and daily life, they also destroyed the economy, culture, and religionRead MoreBritish Imperialism1497 Words à |à 6 Pagesand rule of British imperialism. What were some of the key ideas and visualizations that geographers portrayed to their empires, to understand and perceive the world and places in a more complete sense? Firstly, I am looking to go over the history of British imperialism and what co nstituted their great success. Secondly, I will be referring to the support and importance that the Royal Geographic Society served to the empire and how they attempted to conceptualize imperialism and rule over nationsRead MoreAge of Imperialism2874 Words à |à 12 PagesUniversity of Phoenix Material American Imperialism Part 1 Complete the chart by identifying the following: â⬠¢ Identify the countries or areas where the United States engaged in imperialistic actions during the period from about 1870 to 1914. (Michele Stafford) â⬠¢ Discuss why each area was important to American empire building (political, economic, and social). - KRISTY â⬠¢ Explain Americaââ¬â¢s expansionist ideals. What were some of the factors that justified American imperialist actionsRead MoreEssay on Imperialism1350 Words à |à 6 Pages Imperialism is often excused as a way of liberating people from tyrannical rule or by introducing the policies of a ââ¬Å"betterâ⬠way of life. It is based on the ground of a variety of causes running the gamut of economic pressures, greed, security, power, prestige, religion, and many other effective measures that can be taken given the circumstances. Arguments about the roots and virtue of imperialism can be put into four basic groups. The first is whether or not imperialism is economically beneficialRead MoreA Passage to India: Imperialism1677 Words à |à 7 PagesDiscuss Forsterââ¬â¢s portrayal of Imperialism in the novel a passage to India A passage to India by E.M.Forster is a novel which deals largely with the political, economic and social takeover of India by the British Crown. The novel deals widely with colonialism and more specifically, imperialism. Forster presents the theme in question through the lives and minds of the characters from both the Indians and the English people. There is no subjective undertone to the novel and we see clearly how eachRead MoreAppendix a American Imperialism1314 Words à |à 6 PagesAssociate Program Material Appendix A American Imperialism Part 1 Complete the chart by identifying the following: Identify the countries or areas where the United States engaged in imperialistic actions during the period from about 1870 to 1914. Discuss why each area was important to American empire buildingââ¬âpolitical, economic, and social. Explain Americaââ¬â¢s expansionist ideals. What were some factors that justified American imperialist actions? Identify the currentRead MoreEssay on Imperialism in America1192 Words à |à 5 PagesImperialism in America At the turn of the century, America and the views of its people were changing. Many different ideas were surfacing about issues that affected the country as a whole. The Republican Party, led by William McKinley, were concentrating on the expansion of the United States and looking to excel in power and commerce. The Democratic Party at this time was led by William Jennings Bryan, who was absorbed in a sponge of morality and was concerned with the rights of man. The
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Clinton Essay Research Paper Victor Espina was free essay sample
Clinton Essay, Research Paper Victor Espina was euphoric last twelvemonth when freshly inaugurated Chilean President Ricardo Lagos opened the doors of La Moneda, the fortress-like presidential castle, to the populace. # 8220 ; I about cried, # 8221 ; says the 50-year-old convenience-store proprietor, remembering his initial anxiousness at showing his granddaughter past the stern-looking constabulary guards into the bomb-scarred edifice that is a perennial reminder of Chile # 8217 ; s violent clang between military regulation and democracy. Many Chileans were moved by their new leader # 8217 ; s gesture. As the state # 8217 ; s first socialist President since Salvador Allende # 8217 ; s tragic decease in the 1973 military putsch, Lagos was widely viewed as a life symbol of Chile # 8217 ; s democratic blossoming after 17 old ages of military regulation. But one twelvemonth into Lagos # 8217 ; term, widespread optimism has given manner to a sense of unease. Although economic growing was a respectable 5.4 % in 2000 and is expected to exceed 5 % this twelvemonth despite an inauspicious planetary clime, Chileans are gripped by a feeling that the best old ages are now behind them. We will write a custom essay sample on Clinton Essay Research Paper Victor Espina was or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Unemployment remains high, concern assurance is low, and consumers are loath to pass. Few analysts doubt that Lagos, 63, has the leading skills needed to trip another temper displacement for the better. But he will hold to travel rapidly and resolutely if he # 8217 ; s to forestall what some have dubbed a # 8220 ; psychological recession # 8221 ; from dominating his six-year authorization. FAULTY COMPASS? When he took office on March 11, 2000, after narrowly get the better ofing a rightist campaigner, Lagos inherited an economic system that was on the patch. The Asiatic crisis pushed Chile into recession in 1999, doing the economic system to shrivel 1 % . Lagos set out to turn out that his # 8220 ; third-way # 8221 ; trade name of socialism could reconstruct Chile # 8217 ; s lost lustre, while doing better advancement in the battle against poorness. So far, that hasn # 8217 ; T happened. Chile # 8217 ; s unfastened economic system and sound macroeconomic basicss remain the state # 8217 ; s most of import merchandising point for foreign investors. # 8220 ; We learned that it is merely every bit unsafe for democracy to hold a [ military ] general phase a putsch as it is to hold a populist Finance Minister, # 8221 ; says Lagos. # 8220 ; You have to hold healthy macroeconomic policies, period. # 8221 ; Yet many Chileans feel that their state # 8217 ; s much-vaunted economic theoretical account, with its accent on export-led growing, has run out of steam. # 8220 ; Bing on automatic pilot is no longer plenty, # 8221 ; says Hernan Somerville, president of the Chilean Banking Assn. # 8220 ; We need a alteration of class, # 8221 ; he says # 8212 ; utilizing the catch-phrase of the twenty-four hours. However, few in Chile can hold on what precisely that class should be. # 8220 ; Our compass International Relations and Security Network # 8217 ; t indicating clearly the way in which we should travel. It # 8217 ; s leaping all over the topographic point, which means we # 8217 ; re taking one measure frontward and so another measure rearward, and that creates uncertainness, # 8221 ; says Guillermo Patillo, a economic expert at the University of Santiago. Politicss is partially to fault. With midterm congressional elections nearing, the Lagos Administration doesn # 8217 ; t want to sway the boat. The December vote will find whet her the center-left confederation that has ruled Chile for the past 11 old ages retains its bulk in both the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. Lagos is caught in a hard game of beguiling conflicting involvements within the alliance, known as Concertaci N. SOME SUCCESSES. Privatization is a instance in point. After selling three state-owned H2O public-service corporations, the authorities was poised to travel in front on selling the staying 10. But the plan was scuttled, seemingly due to resistance from left-of-center congresswomans who are loth to release province control. Now, Lagos has latched onto a new thought: He wants to offer out direction grants on the bing cloaca and H2O systems to private companies. The policy reversal has rattled investors. # 8220 ; The uncertainty people have is, which is the existent Lagos? # 8221 ; says Aldo Lema, an economic expert at the Andres Bello University in Santiago. # 8220 ; We don # 8217 ; t cognize what cards he is traveling to play next. # 8221 ; Other authorities proposals are downright chilling to concern. Particularly controversial is a measure, submitted to Congress last twelvemonth, that would undo alterations to the labour codification introduced under the absolutism of General Augusto Pinochet. The contents of the statute law have changed several times, singing between # 8220 ; soft # 8221 ; reforms that are backed by both concern and the brotherhoods ( such as allowing work contracts, and thereby legal protections, for parttime workers ) to alleged # 8220 ; difficult # 8221 ; reforms ( such as a prohibition on the hiring of replacing workers during work stoppages ) . Companies complain that some of these steps would do Chile # 8217 ; s labour market more stiff, thereby raising their operating costs. To be just, Lagos # 8217 ; first twelvemonth in office has besides been marked by some successes. Who could hold imagined a twelvemonth ago that Chile # 8217 ; s progressively independent tribunals would order the apprehension and test of the once-untouchable Pinochet and cardinal members of his security setup on human-rights charges? On the international forepart, Lagos has shown a clear committedness to globalisation by pressing the U.S. to establish dialogues for a bilateral free-trade agreement. He has besides stuck with a plan of one-sided duty decreases that will cut import responsibilities down to 6 % by 2003, from 8 % last twelvemonth. VALLEY OUTPOST. Last, but non least, the President has led a bold selling run fliping Chile as a oasis for hi-tech companies. In November of last twelvemonth, Lagos traveled to the U.S. to run into with industry leaders, including Bill Gates of Microsoft, and in March, he inaugurated an investment-promotion office in Silicon Valley. # 8220 ; Globalization means more than merely selling vino and salmon to the universe, # 8221 ; Lagos argues. Then there # 8217 ; s the public-relations blitz at place, where Lagos makes day-to-day telecasting visual aspects in the company of some of his cardinal curates. The President doubtless scored points with citizens by opening up the presidential castle. But progressively fewer passersby these yearss are fliping coins into the fountain that adorns La Moneda # 8217 ; s courtyard. Possibly Chileans know it # 8217 ; ll take more than good fortune to draw the state out its current rut.
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
System Thinking Refers To Understanding a System â⬠Free Samples
Question: How to the System Thinking Refers To Understanding A System? Answer: Introducation: Systems thinking refers to understanding a system by scrutinizing the linkages and interactions between the various components that form a major part of the system. Systems thinking is concerned with making authentic inferences about systems by developing a deep understanding of the underlying structure (Haines 2016). The oil and gas industry are one of the most complicated businesses as the outputs of such businesses affect the entire world. The oil and gas companies are required to keep themselves updated in terms of technology and make critical adjustments from time to time, which makes decision-making difficult. Therefore, the systems thinking offers a structured process for decision-making that deals with changes and the adaptations (Kunze, Wulfhorst and Minner 2016). Systems thinking is one of the way in which the problems are approached that considers the various elements in a system that influence each other. System thinking involves knowing the root cause of a problem and understanding the relationship between the various causes. One of the systems thinking model that is useful in understanding the issues is iceberg model. The iceberg model defines various levels of thinking that includes event level, pattern level, structure level and the mental model level (Girault and Valk 2013). The event level is the level where the problem arises. The model states that it is not necessary that all the problems can be solved at the event level. The pattern level analyses the current problem on the basis of any similar kind of problems that had occurred in the past. Observing the patterns assist in forecasting and understanding the problems. The structure level emphasizes on the cause of the issue. The structure level includes the physical things, organiza tions, policies and rituals that become the cause of a problem. The mental model comprises of the beliefs, attitudes, values and expectations that assist in the functioning of the structures. Systems engineering is the approach that enables the complete system life cycle that includes formulation of problems, development of solution and sustainable use of the operations (Adams et al. 2014). The Systems Engineering Body of knowledge (SEBoK) provides knowledge sources and references of the organized systems engineering. Systems engineering includes the fundamentals and models of foundational system sciences. The systems engineering is applied with the help of the application of various systems engineering processes (Garvey, Book and Covert 2016). It is applied within a managed lyfe cycle working with engineering, management and specialist disciplines. It can also be applied to enterprise systems and service systems. SEBoK is often compared to Wikipedia but it is built on SEBoK articles and the Editorial Board reviews the recommendations before they are included in SEBok Wiki (Kaiser, El Arbi and Ahlemann 2015). The issues in the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill were management problems and poor risk management. Various reports showed that the safety board investigator and the rig operator did not test the blowout preventers individual safety systems. Only the device as a whole was tested while the various components were neglected. The preventers manufacturers had suggested individual tests but the company followed its own standard set (Gutierrez-Miravete 2013). Portfolio alignment is a weak element in a good Project Portfolio Management practice. An alignment directs the decisions related to resource allocation in an organization and helps the project manager in the prioritization of the project list. Alignment helps in translation of strategies into actionable plans (Patanakul 2015). Alignment makes a project more adaptable to changes by enabling rapid response to the changes. Portfolio alignment helps in making better decisions that is supported by business intelligence. It also helps in reducing the deviations in the budgets and improving the accuracy in the forecasting of the financial aspect. The portfolio alignment of BP Deepwater Horizon was poor as the company had initially underestimated the problem and had overestimated its capability of handling the issue. Due to improper project management, the company did not take any initial actions as crisis management (Martinsuo 2013). It was after two days of the occurrence of the disaster that the company took steps by mobilizing vessels and aircrafts. The company was even unable to ascertain the actual amount of leakages caused. The improper project management and risk management caused further delays in finding solutions to the issue. BP had lost approximately 55% of shareholder value after the oil spill incident as the share prices fell from $59.48 to $27. The share prices gradually recovered but could not reach the before oil spill level. The company had to spend huge amounts for the relief well drilling and for settling other claims (Turner 2014). Portfolio management process cycle is the process that an investor follows in order to meet his investment objectives. It involves expressing the objectives of the investment in terms of risk and return (Kerzner 2013). BP, in trying to complete the Macondo well took various shortcuts that resulted in the disastrous oil spills. The major cause of the oil spill was considered to be the failure of the cement at the base of 18000 feet deep well that was considered to have oil and gas within its bore. The technical and human errors led to the tremendous pressure of natural gas formed to shoot onto the drilling platform that caused an explosion causing death of 11 crew members. Later on, it was found that the cause of the accident was poor risk management, sudden changes in plans, ignorance of critical indicators, lack of well control response and lack of emergency bridge response training by the companies. Ultimately, BP was help responsible for the disaster along with the chief contractors of BP who were responsible for operations of the drilling rig and the cementing operations (Heagney 2016). The other factors considered were the violations of the federal regulations. It was considered that BP and it s contractors violated the laws related to the safety and protection of health and environment. It failed to conduct reliable tests of the pressures of the wells and did not notify the federal regulators about the changes in the drilling plans of the company. However, the cement failure remained the major cause of the disaster. Earlier BP comprised of various levels of management that was formed in a matrix structure, which made it difficult for anyone to make decisions quickly. Later on, the decision-making responsibilities were extended to the employees along with the other levels in the organization. The decision-making authority relating to meeting the performance targets was no longer limited to the regional operating companies of BP instead, the authority was extended to the asset managers present onsite. The BPs asset managers were responsible for the meeting of the performance targets which was extended to the employees on the site. The compensation of the employees was now dependent upon the performance of the employees as well as the overall performance of the site. This model was known as Asset Federation and it laid emphasis on compensation of employees according to their performance (Mello et al. 2017). The site managers managed the assets autonomously and there was some incentive of sharing be st practices on risk management among the various exploration sites of BP. Due to high prices of crude oil and various improvements in the technology, drilling in deep water became feasible. However, these operations were complex and more expensive than oil drilling in shallow water. The deepwater horizon rig was associated with various maintenance issues. The safety audit conducted by BP indicated 390 repairs demanding immediate attention but the Deepwater Horizon did not stop working and continued its operations. The maintenance issues on the rig and several setbacks resulted in the project becoming over budgeted however, BP was confident that it had found oil. Project management has a deep relationship with the systems thinking approach especially in case of systems engineering. Operations research, project management and systems engineering is very important when it comes to managing any large research and development projects. Project management evolved when technologies employed by the scientists and engineers were complex and uncertain in the development of weapon systems. It was during this time that the matrix organization came into existence in order to overcome the disadvantages of staff organizations in the efficient management of the project (Chunpir, Ludwig and Badewi 2014). This led to the development of separate bodies of knowledge known as PMBOK and SEBoK. The project management and the systems engineering share many concepts in common such as life cycle approach for conceptualizing, designing and implementing systems and projects. The project management is more people centric as it deals with the management of personnel, tea m structure and design, motivation, performance, stakeholder management, leadership, negotiation and management of the flow of communication. The systems thinking is more concerned with the product, technology, people and processes. The management of complex projects involves understanding the application of systems thinking in solving the complexities of the project. Systems are usually open as they can interact with the outside environment. They are organized by hierarchy and exhibit emergence. The hierarchy is more related to the vitality and survivability while the emergence describes the system as the dynamic interactions between its parts. The project managers use systems thinking while dealing with complex projects when everything seems to be getting out of control. The systems thinking helps the project managers in settling the complex projects at a state of equilibrium (Walker, Steinfort and Maqsood 2014). As the project completion time comes near, it creates immense pressure on the project managers and staff that results in high turnover of employees. The increase in the employee turnover contributes to excessive reworks due to absence of skill base. The delays in the system increases and results in the development of crisis. The systems thinking helps in finding the best solution to the complex issues that arise during the project management. The soft systems methodology is used to clarify the advantages that the stakeholders might get from the implementation of the project. This model deals with the problems related to the ill-structures that could not be handled by the technological approach of systems engineering. The soft systems approach works with the reality and facilitates a systematic learning process that involves examination and discussion of the different viewpoints hence, leading to purposeful actions in terms of improvements. The soft systems methodology uses various tools and concepts such as rich pictures and root definition that the project managers may use in order to clarify the projects purpose (Reader and OConnor 2014). Rich picture is an informal drawing that expresses the feelings of an individual regarding a situation. The aim is richness of personal expression that is unrestrained by the social conventions and unconstrained by the predetermined frameworks. The drawing tools and conventions for the representation of the technological problems is discouraged. The rich picture identifies the problems and the processes in the problem situation. It helps in using the mental models with the situation. Rich pictures helps in understanding the goals that motivate stakeholders at the very beginning of the project. Therefore, it can be concluded that the conventional tools of systems thinking help in dealing with some wicked problems that often arise in the projects that are not capable of being handled handled by the standard tools and techniques. The systems thinking tools and techniques help in managing the projects that involve continuous cycle of cause and effect. Systems thinking helps in understanding the issues that involve understanding of people, coordination of thinking and behavioral processes. Systems engineering is the approach that enables the complete system life cycle that includes formulation of problems, development of solution and sustainable use of the operations. The issues in the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill were management problems and poor risk management, which could be solved by implementing a strong systems thinking approach as the systems thinking involves the various conventional tools of systems thinking that help in dealing with these issues as not capable of b eing handled handled by the standard tools and techniques. The soft systems approach can help in solving the issues as it works with the reality and facilitates a systematic learning process that involves examination and discussion of the different viewpoints. References: Adams, K.M., Hester, P.T., Bradley, J.M., Meyers, T.J. and Keating, C.B., 2014. Systems theory as the foundation for understanding systems.Systems Engineering,17(1), pp.112-123. Chunpir, H.I., Ludwig, T. and Badewi, A.A., 2014, June. Using soft systems methodology (SSM) in understanding current user-support scenario in the climate science domain of cyber-infrastructures. InInternational Conference of Design, User Experience, and Usability(pp. 495-506). Springer International Publishing. Garvey, P.R., Book, S.A. and Covert, R.P., 2016.Probability methods for cost uncertainty analysis: A systems engineering perspective. CRC Press. Girault, C. and Valk, R., 2013.Petri nets for systems engineering: a guide to modeling, verification, and applications. Springer Science Business Media. Gutierrez-Miravete, E., 2013. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Haines, S., 2016.The systems thinking approach to strategic planning and management. CRC Press. Heagney, J., 2016.Fundamentals of project management. AMACOM Div American Mgmt Assn. Kaiser, M.G., El Arbi, F. and Ahlemann, F., 2015. Successful project portfolio management beyond project selection techniques: Understanding the role of structural alignment.International Journal of Project Management,33(1), pp.126-139. Kerzner, H., 2013.Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Kunze, O., Wulfhorst, G. and Minner, S., 2016. Applying systems thinking to city logistics: A qualitative (and quantitative) approach to model interdependencies of decisions by various stakeholders and their impact on city logistics.Transportation Research Procedia,12, pp.692-706. Martinsuo, M., 2013. Project portfolio management in practice and in context.International Journal of Project Management,31(6), pp.794-803. Mello, M.H., Gosling, J., Naim, M.M., Strandhagen, J.O. and Brett, P.O., 2017. Improving coordination in an engineer-to-order supply chain using a soft systems approach.Production Planning Control,28(2), pp.89-107. Patanakul, P., 2015. Key attributes of effectiveness in managing project portfolio.International Journal of Project Management,33(5), pp.1084-1097. Reader, T.W. and OConnor, P., 2014. The Deepwater Horizon explosion: non-technical skills, safety culture, and system complexity.Journal of Risk Research,17(3), pp.405-424. Turner, J.R., 2014.The handbook of project-based management(Vol. 92). New York, NY: McGraw-hill. Walker, D., Steinfort, P. and Maqsood, T., 2014. Stakeholder voices through rich pictures.International Journal of Managing Projects in Business,7(3), pp.342-361.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)