COURSEWORK 2 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

2 - Coursework Example Change is pervasive not only in peoples individual lives but also in business organisations – for profit or not. Change is inevitable; it is also one of the constants in this world. It doesnt matter if an organisation is doing something about the impact of change – technological, societal and market – on how they do business. These changes will still impact on them and those who react fastest and most constructively will survive. Management theories emerged as a result of change. From the scientific management to centralized organisation; from a decentralized management to empowered workforce; and from a knowledge management to learning organisation. In order to protect its current status, Toyota Motors Corporation, as they say, must run faster to stay in place. First and foremost, it must embrace change whole heartedly – this means the entire organisation as a whole rather than its parts individually. The above changes unfortunately results to a more cutthroat competition not only in the automobile industry but in all industries affected by these changes. Sustaining status quo or surviving in a highly competitive environment is expensive. Companies, to maintain their standing in the market, have to spend more and more in advertising and other activities to sustain the market’s interest in their products and services. This practice is fatal in the long run. Certainly a company can not indefinitely spend its scarce financial resources in activities which can only sustain what is. To survive the company must not only please existing customers, but make new ones too. In this dynamic environment, an organisation finds change and performance improvement more as matters of business survival rather than as matters of competitiveness. Product differentiation and cost leadership are two strategies a company can adopt to stay ahead of competition. Continuous process improvement

Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber Essay Example for Free

Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber Essay The three characters in Hemingway’s The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber form a triangle in which the relationships are not clear from the beginning. The plot of the short story is not very complicated: during a safari, the rich and handsome Francis Macomber proves to be a coward when he runs off scared while hunting the lion he had wounded.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In fact, the attribute of ‘coward’ is given to him, indirectly, by his wife Margot and by Wilson, the hunter who accompanies them on the expedition. The whole story thus revolves around the killing of the lion, an act which seems to be the ultimate proof of manhood, and, which constitutes therefore a great attraction to women. The setting and the context of the story- the safari in the wilderness of Africa- seem to determine also the plot: Hemingway chooses for his characters two Americans with a great wealth and social stand, who are supposed to be very civilized, and exposes in fact their instinctual behavior, which seems to have kept its wild nature. Francis Macomber and Robert Wilson ‘fight’, by proving their courage in the hunt, for the ‘female’ who will instinctually choose the stronger of the two. The fact that the behavior of wild animals and that of humans have a common pattern is emphasized by Hemingway careful notation of the lion’s ‘feelings’ while he is being hunted by the two men. Thus, a clear connection is established between men and the wild animals: â€Å"Macomber had not thought how the lion felt as he got out of the car. He only knew his hands were shaking and as he walked away from the car it was almost impossible for him to make his legs move.†(Hemingway, 8) Thus, after Macomber’s failure in the hunt of the lion, Margot kisses the ‘winner’, Wilson, and completely ignores her husband, and her behavior seems to be the exact pattern of the creatures in the wilderness. Furthermore, the very night after Macomber’s defeat, she goes to bed with Wilson, without even trying to dissimulate in front of her husband. The courage to kill and to face death is taken here as the main criteria for manhood: â€Å"Fear gone like an operation. Something else grew in its place. Main thing a man had. Made him into a man. Women knew it too. No bloody fear.†(Hemingway, 12) The marriage between Francis and Margot had been nothing more than a profitable business affair, him having the money and she the beauty. As it is hinted, these interests are the only things that kept them together still. Both of them seem to be sure these ties are strong enough to secure against a break-up. However, after having found out about his wife’s betrayal, Macomber’s instinctive nature seems to be awakened: he discovers the exhilaration that the hunt and the killings produce in him, and his fear is completely gone. Still, Margot is not pleased by her husband’s success, as one would expect. She rather feels threatened, and tries to hide it by resuming her contemptuous attitude towards him: â€Å"’Youve gotten awfully brave, awfully suddenly,’ his wife said contemptuously, but her contempt was not secure. She was very afraid of something.†(Hemingway, 11) Thus, Margot ‘rewards’ the braveness of her husband by killing him while he was fighting the bull, apparently trying to aim at the beast. However, it is obvious that she kills him intentionally, first of all, because of her strange behavior before the murder, and also because of the logic of events. As Hemingway hints, ‘she was afraid of something’ and it can plainly be seen that that something was the fact that Macomber might leave her for her betrayal, now that he found his self-assurance and his manliness again. This is exactly what Wilson alludes at after the ‘accident’: â€Å"’That was a pretty thing to do,’ he said in a toneless voice. ‘He would have left you too.’†(Hemingway, 14) She thus kills her husband to ward off the danger of having him leave her. This is proven by her strong emotions during the bull hunt, in which Macomber finally shows his braveness: her face is white with fear and probably contrasting feelings. At first she seems to congratulate again the winner, this time her husband: â€Å"’In the car Macombers wife sat very white-faced. ‘You were marvelous, darling,’ she said to Macomber. ‘What a ride.’†(Hemingway, 13) Nonetheless, her admiration soon turns into the fear that her husband will desert her: â€Å"Her face was white and she looked ill.† Again, the fact that Margot kills her husband on purpose coheres with the rest of her instinctive behavior: although the main reason of the killing seems to be his fortune or her social stand which she might lose, it may be that her murder is again instinctive, in the sense that she is afraid of losing the now desirable man, because of his courage. She prefers shooting him, again cohering with the hunt. Her ‘hysterical’ crying over the dead body of her husband do not manage to convince us of her innocence or her pain at the loss: she rather mourns him either because she needs to act in front of the other hunters, or because she has to give up the hero she had been looking for. The way in which she changes her mind after Macomber’s success, and she says that their hunting is by no means a heroic act, clearly demonstrates that she feels trapped, again manifesting her instinctual nature. At the end of the story, she herself is defeated by Wilson, who plainly lets her see that he knows the truth, and seems to enjoy the feeling of being able to submit her to his will, and have her beg: Thats better, ‘Wilson said. ‘Please is much better. Now Ill stop.’(Hemingway, 14) The meanings of Hemingway’s story are thus very complex, as he analyzes the instinctual relationships between men and women, and other instincts, such as that of killing and hunting or of possessing and dominating. Works Cited: Hemingway, Ernest. The Complete Short Stories. New York: Scribner Paperback Fiction, 1998

E-Commerce in Fashion

E-Commerce in Fashion Background E-commerce is in fashion so many companies of all sizes and types are reviewing their sales strategies.   Consideration is being given to either (or both) selling to other businesses electronically (B2B) or selling directly to individual customers over the Internet (B2C).   Many companies are failing to live up to expectations, with problems such as poor website design making ordering difficult, website failure (crashes) from overload or because they were incomplete, failure to confirm the order, subsequent out-of-stock, failure to deliver on time. The Project Brief You, as the project manager, are to plan a project for a Triangle software house to develop an online Hotel Management system for an international hotel chain.   The project is scheduled to start on6thof July 2010. The project should have the following options Guests: Room Reservations for guests Services: Adding other services use, restaurant use, bar use by guests Maintenance: To maintain records in the system Inquires: To know about availability of rooms, reservations, gust lists Four computers have to be supplied for the selected project and these computers needs to be networked. Required time schedule for the project is three months. From the Project Managers point of view, an e-commerce project is no different from any other project.   You need a framework to plan resources and budget; you must set the plan against an appropriate calendar; and you need to ensure that you include the managerial and quality-related tasks that will help the project manager succeed. You need to plan how the project should be initiated.   However, your initiation plan should be presented in sufficient detail for someone else to manage it.   You are not expected to have all the answers at this stage; part of the skill of project planning is to ensure that you put the tasks in place to find out what is unknown and to manage the obvious risks. Task 1 (a) As the Project Manager, you are expected to decide on the following: 1. The tasks required to carry out the project aim for at least 10-15 tasks.   Traditional File System (SDLC-System Development Life Cycle) Strategic Study Business study Feasibility study Requirement analysis Requirement Specification Logical system specification Logical Design Physical Design Coding Testing Implementation Maintenance Paste out Relate Traditional File System steps to Hotel management system Case Study. We use Traditional File System for Hotel management systemto develop their system. Strategic study: Project Manager goes to the Hotel study the current system; after he understood what the system that they need to develop is what they technology must use to develop the hotel. Business study:- Project Manager prepare a document project initiation document this will give the general   definition for the developing system   that document shown to the hotel managing director we get the approval to proceed the development the new system. Feasibility study: These step uses to traditional file system how to feasible for hotel computerizes Economical, Technical Operational, even the developing system is most modern if end users are working within difficulty that system isnt operational but this system is not difficulty use. Cost effective ways and ensuring that the investment can be recovered and realize the benefits with allocated budget. The technology needed is available and can be integrated with the other systems of the organization. Deciding how the new system going to fit the current operational system and whether its operationally acceptable. Checking whether the new project is violating law both local and international Requirement analysis: Firstly we interview Hotel managing Director asked question about the current system what they want to include their system to computerize ..,.   Investigating forms and documents which are very useful to determine system data flows and transactions Identifying the outputs by investigating below reports, Hourly report Daily report Monthly report Yearly report Then Checking latest updated procedure manuals and user manuals To study user activities and to concentrate on how it is being handle. Interviewing and supervisor level users to gather opinions about the efficiency about the system, determine the needs of the users that to be in the new system, more specific details about the system. Producing and arranging online Questionnaires for all operational users who are going to use the system. By this can gather information from all the people who are going to have direct contact with the system. Planning formal observation sessions at 3 main hotels, specially the reception area And closely observing the activities performed by the users. And observing customer inquiries reservation process etc Studying a subset documents or subset of the activity in the area in order to get an impression of the whole activity or document set .it is useful to verify findings from interviews or the above discussed techniques. Requirement Specification: How the new computer system should be working this is a kind of the document which clearly specifies the requirement of the users. Use :- Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)    Data Flow Diagram (DFD). Logical system specification:- This hotel computerize system   include several logical specification there are may be several technical option that could be adapted which are capable of delivering the requirement in this stage system analysis first design define what those technical options and then the help of manager select the most suitable option. Logical Design: This step we design a dialog design initial interface are design Update process that change on the line system data and Enquiry process concern the interaction of useful information from system data.(we should involve the hotel manager very strongly specially dialog design influence how to system looks and behave to its users) Physical Design: This step we design program design database design (ERD map into database components), this stage provides all the information required by the programmer. Coding: We use language is Visual Basic for coding.(First programmer code will be written in short pieces that outlines simple as well-defined program function.) Testing:- we tested correctness testing, performance testing ,reliability and recovery testing then security testing stress testing usability testing, unit and integration testing external function testing ,system testing, regression testing, acceptance testing, installation testing, completion testing, test documentation.(   discover and rectify errors below steps are planned to be done) Implementation:- This stage involve preparation of the target side and making the environment the network here the hotel new system to target environment will done and prepare in the user manual and training the hotel worker for the New system.| System will be installed shared in 4 computers which will be networked [LAN] (Configuration with I7 processors, 4 GB Ram..) With all required software. 2. Decide on appropriate task dependencies and state durations of them. Task Duration (1= 1 day)Reference Strategic study 1 A Business study 1   B Feasibility study 1 C Technical Feasibility2 Operational Feasibility1 Legal FeasibilityParallel with Op Feasibility(1) Economical Feasibility3 Requirement analysis D (Forms and documents)1 (Reports)1 (Procedureuser manuals)1 Interview-(Management level)3 Interview-(Supervisor level)3 (Questionnaires)1 (Observation)2 (Subset documentsactivity)1 Requirement specification 3 E Logical system specification 2F Logical design 10 G Physical design 20H Coding 5 I Testing J (Unit) 5 (Integrated) 1 (System)1 (User)2 DebuggingParallel with testing(8)K Implementation L (Installation)2 (User Training)2 (Parallel Running)7 MaintenanceContinues until phase out.M Total Duration81 -The explained tasks in task 1 are shortened and listed down above, under task name. -The Duration 1 is equals to 1 day. -Maintenance starts after implementing the project until phase out. -Total days for the project is 87-(81- planned days, and balances 6 days are to manage risks during the project period. (Table1.1) 3. Create an Activity Net work Diagram with respect to your identified tasks,AND must be given using a standard Tool such as MS Project or MS Visio Critical path- A   B C D E F G H I J   L MS Project Output (b)There are many elements in a typical project plan. One such element is the   Introduction which briefly describes the objectives of the project and the constraints, which affect project management. Prepare such introduction for this project using reasonable assumptions. List and explain with a sentence each other contents of a typical project plan. I am Nadeeshani and Im appointed as a project manager to develop this online hotel Management system for an international hotel chain by the triangle software house. The project is based on upgrading the existing system as an online system along with these main functions, Room reservations for guests The options to add other services like restaurant use, bar use, gym use, etc The system which has the ability to obtain inquires from the guests and the ability to give them an answer/feedback, for example for the customer queries like availability of rooms, reservations and guest list, etc. And to get all the above updates and inquiries from the parties and to maintain the records in the system We hope to start the project on 6Th of July 2010 and we were going to be finished in September 30th 2010 (3 month) period. On that project running period we are considering Saturdays Sundays as working days. We hope to finished this project 26Th of September 2010. The project has run 87 days but we are planning to be completed within 82 days rest 5 days we are planning to do collecting unanticipated problems complete the project report however we will make sure to complete this project in this 87 days period. This is the project plan how we are going to do the project. I hope the committee members will do their best to complete the project. The quality of the system will be maintained throughout the project by regular progress checking and progress monitoring. The project has been run through the 13 stages. Strategic study Business study Feasibility study Requirement analysis Requirement specification Logical system specification Logical design Physical design Coding, Testing Debugging Implementation Maintenance These stages are planned in a greater level of detail. (These plans are used to track progress on a week by week basis through regular progress monitoring.) These stages are also separated into sub tasks basically contains the lowest details. It will specify activities down to a daily level. This will be created in parallel with the above mentioned stage plans. And the monitoring and tracking will be on daily basis. As a project manager I hope we will be finished the project with less errors I believe you all are will be do your best. Clearly indicated whose responsible for what in the project, clearly shown what the project is to deliver, why and for whom and by making the project that can easily understand by everyone, mainly on time and within budget My motivation is to completely utilize my accumulated experience and knowledge to the fullest extent possible and making this projects a success. Task 2 (a) Explain what are your typical responsibilities as a Software Project   Manager in managing any type of software project and your typical tasks A software project manager has the overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, execution and closure of a project. A successful Project Manager must simultaneously manage the four basic elements of a project: resources, time, money, and most importantly, scope. All these elements are interrelated. Each must be managed effectively. All must be managed together if the project, and the project manager, is to be a success. Resources People, equipment, material Time Task durations, dependencies, critical path Money Costs, contingencies, profit Scope Project size, goals, requirements This title is used in the construction industry, architecture, information technology and many different occupations that are based on production of a product or service. The project manager must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills. The role of the project manager encompasses many activities including :-Planning and Defining Scope, Activity Planning and Sequencing, Resource Planning, Developing Schedules, Time Estimating, Cost Estimating, Developing a Budget, Controlling Quality, Managing Risks and Issues, Creating Charts and Schedules, Risk Analysis, Benefits Realization, Scalability, Interoperability and Portability Analysis,Documentation,Team Leadership, Strategic Influencing, Customer Liaison. As a software project manager my typical tasks in managing a software project will be below. Manage the production of the required product. Direct and motivate the project team. Plan and monitor the project. Manage business and project risks. Responsible for change control. Report the true progress report and stage assessment to the steering committee. Prepare the end project report. Responsible for project administration. Responsibility Matrix In a large project, there may be many people who have some role in the creation and approval of project deliverables. Sometimes this is pretty straightforward, such as one person writing a document and one person approving it. In other cases, there may be many people who have a hand in the creation, and others that need to have varying levels of approval. The Responsibility Matrix is a technique used to define the general responsibilities for each role on a project. The matrix can then be used to communicate the roles to the appropriate people associated with the team. This helps set expectations, and ensures people know what is expected from them. On the matrix, the different people, or roles, appear as columns, with the specific deliverables in question listed as rows. Then, use the intersecting points to describe each persons responsibility for each deliverable. Ex: (Table 2.1) A Approves the deliverable R Reviews the deliverable (and provides feedback). C Creates the deliverable (could be C (1) for primary, C (2) for backup). Usually there is only one person who is responsible for creating a deliverable, although many people may provide input. I Provides input N Is notified when a deliverable is complete M Manages the deliverables (such as a librarian, or person responsible for the document repository) In the table above, the Requirements Management Plan is created by the project manager, approved by the sponsor and client managers, and reviewed by the project team and analysts. The purpose of the matrix is to gain clarity and agreement on who does what, so you can define the columns with as much detail as makes sense. For instance, in the above example, the Project Team could have been broken into specific people or the person responsible for creating the Data Model could have been broken out into a separate column. After the matrix is completed, it should be circulated for approval. If it is done in the Project Charter process, it can be an addendum to the Project Charter. If it is created as a part of the initial Analysis Phase, it should be circulated as a separate document. Examples of responsibility codes are as follows. Our project may define different codes, as long as you explain what they mean so that people know what the expectations are for them. References http://www.lifecyclestep.com/open/407.0LifecycleRoles.htm (b) Briefly explain how you are going to manage the risk in the above project. Risk management is the process of analyzing exposure to risk and determining how to best handle such exposure. The project is planned to be a continuous process throughout the project until completion and considered in two main parts, the risk analysis part and the risk management part. I have planned to run risk management as below, At the start of the project, as a part of the decision of whether to undertake the project And at every end stage assessments Risk management includes the following activities Planning how risk management will be held in the particular project. Plan should include risk management tasks, responsibilities, activities and budget. Assigning risk officer a team member other than a project manager who is responsible for foreseeing potential project problems. Typical characteristic of risk officer is a healthy skepticism. Maintaining live project risk database. Each risk should have the following attributes: opening date, title, short description, probability and importance. Optionally risk can have assigned person responsible for its resolution and date till then risk still can be resolved. Creating anonymous risk reporting channel. Each team member should have possibility to report risk that he foresees in the project. Preparing mitigation plans for risks that are chosen to be mitigated. The purpose of the mitigation plan is to describe how this particular risk will be handled what, when, by who and how will be done to avoid it or minimize consequences if it becomes a liability. Summarizing planned and faced risks, effectiveness of mitigation activities and effort spend for the risk management. As an analyzing tool to assist in the risk management process, Decision tree is used to analyze the risks, Because the explanation for the result is easily described by simple graph in a simply understandable way which can be combined with other decision techniques as well. Important details can be generated based on its alternatives, probabilities, costs and their preferences for outcomes. First after analyzing the possible risks by identifying, Estimating the effectiveness by comparing the likelihood with the impact of a risk and finally evaluating by confirming that they are in correct sequence and the cross checking with the risk reduction options assessing the acceptable level of each other. We select the most suitable risk management approach for each risk and a detailed plan of action which confirms its goals will be prepared by discussing with members. The risk management consist four main activities and below tasks will be completed at the end of each part. Planning-: Most appropriate selection will be selected for each risk and a detailed plan of action which confirms its desirability and objectives will be developed. Sometimes this activity may proceed in parallel with risk evaluation.  §Resourcing-: This will identify and assign the necessary resources to do the work and will confirm that the revised plan is feasible and cost effective.  §Controlling-: This will make sure that the execution of the plan is having the desired effect on the risk. This will ensure the management of the risk process will apply effectively and it will modify the plan where it necessary.  §Monitoring-: This will check the stages of the risk and also check that the counted measures are happening effectively. During monitoring, if it feels that the risk management plan is ineffective, then we can go back to the risk analysis part. When managing the risks these below features will be considered mainly, Factors that need to continue correctly, threats, systemic risks for the successful delivery project and benefits, risks to the business, risks for the customers and suppliers, risks of unexpected outputs and success of the international hotel chain. This is how I have planned to manage the risk, which can happen during a process and which will effect with a negative result to the process in the project. Task 3 Configuration Management is an essential part of a project. In a large project Configuration librarian plays a major role. Configuration management (CM) is the detailed recording and updating of information that describes an enterprises hardware and software. Such information typically includes the versions and updates that have been applied to installed software packages and the locations and network addresses of hardware devices. Special configuration management software is available. When a system needs hardware or software upgrade, a computer technician can accesses the configuration management program and database to see what is currently installed. The technician can then make a more informed decision about the upgrade needed. An advantage of a configuration management application is that the entire collection of systems can be reviewed to make sure any changes made to one system do not adversely affect any of the other systems Configuration management is also used in software development, where it is called Unified Configuration Management (UCM). Using UCM, developers can keep track of the source code, documentation, problems, changes requested, and changes made. (a) Briefly out line some configuration items in the project given in the scenario. Manage the configuration: Hotel Management systemPlan what is required and how it will be achieved Guests: Room Reservations for guests Services: Adding other services use, restaurant use, bar use by guests Maintenance: To maintain records in the system Inquires: To know about availability of rooms, reservations, gust lists Four computers have to be supplied for the selected project and these computers needs to be networked. Required time schedule for the project is three months. (Use a Configuration Management Plan (Project Quality Plan) Identify components of the final product Use Defining and Analyzing Products (PL2) to create a Configuration Item Record Use unique identifiers for each product and each version: Project Product Type Product Name Product Version. Control changes to baseline products by using change authority Submit products to the Configuration Librarian to put under configuration control Release (issue) products and/or copiesS Product Status Account to record and report product information Report the status of products from the Configuration Librarian Verify product integrity Perform product configuration audits by the Configuration Librarian Perform project audits by Project Assurance. In the above hotel management system developing project at each stage end as an output as below final deliverables will be reported. 1st stage -Strategic study -information technology strategy will be produced. 2nd stage Business study -project initiation document. 3th stage Feasibility study- Feasibility report. 4th stage -Requirement analysis- the gathered exact requirements of the users to develop  Ã‚  Ã‚   the system will be produced as Requirement analysis report 5th stage -Requirement specifications-the requirements will be produced in a diagrammatic way and a wordy report. 6th stage Logical system specification -the mapped business and technical aspects of the system will be produced. 7th stage Logical design- interface design will be produced. 8th stage -Physical design -the database design and program design using miniature specifications like pseudo codes, flowcharts, structure diagrams, etc will be produced. 9th stage -Coding- the written program which is written with a programming language will be produced. 10th stage -Testing -testing report. 11th stage -Debugging-debugging report. 12th stage -Implementation- the released version of the system in the target environment. 13th stage -Maintenance-reports regarding the changes carried out throughout the system after the implementation. (b) Give a statement of the configuration librarians responsibilities. Configuration Librarian is the guardian of all the master copies of the projects products.   Ã‚   The role will be also to look after change control on behalf of the project manager. Purpose   : Custodian and guardian of all master copies of the projects products Receives, baselines and releases (issues) products Updates the product status and informs the Project Manager Maintains the Issue Log. The major tasks of the configuration librarian are summarized as follows:- To control the receipt, identification, storage and issues of all project products To provide information on the status of all products To number, record, store and distribute change control documents The specific responsibilities of the configuration librarian are as follows:- Assist the project manager to prepare the configuration management plan Create libraries at other storage areas to hold products Assist in the identification of products Create configuration item description records Hold the master copies of all project products Maintain the change control records Assist in conducting configuration audits Liaise with other configuration librarians where products required by the project are common to other systems (c) Briefly outline what are the things that we must consider in change control of Project Management. In this hotel management system development, will develop several documents that include all the importance issues regarding to   the development but sometime these document may need to be changed due to various reasons, when doing this changers it has to be done by stranded procedures its called ChangeControl . The change control document is the formal way into this projects any enquiry of a complaint or request, it can be raised by anyone associated with hotel project about anything such as:- A new function occurrence A frailer of a product In meeting some aspect of the user requirement Because of a possible misunderstand A problem with the planning A frailer of communication The change control mainly it has recharge control document such as:- Question document (when a question occurs about a change) It will be submitted to the configuration library and the configuration librar E-Commerce in Fashion E-Commerce in Fashion Background E-commerce is in fashion so many companies of all sizes and types are reviewing their sales strategies.   Consideration is being given to either (or both) selling to other businesses electronically (B2B) or selling directly to individual customers over the Internet (B2C).   Many companies are failing to live up to expectations, with problems such as poor website design making ordering difficult, website failure (crashes) from overload or because they were incomplete, failure to confirm the order, subsequent out-of-stock, failure to deliver on time. The Project Brief You, as the project manager, are to plan a project for a Triangle software house to develop an online Hotel Management system for an international hotel chain.   The project is scheduled to start on6thof July 2010. The project should have the following options Guests: Room Reservations for guests Services: Adding other services use, restaurant use, bar use by guests Maintenance: To maintain records in the system Inquires: To know about availability of rooms, reservations, gust lists Four computers have to be supplied for the selected project and these computers needs to be networked. Required time schedule for the project is three months. From the Project Managers point of view, an e-commerce project is no different from any other project.   You need a framework to plan resources and budget; you must set the plan against an appropriate calendar; and you need to ensure that you include the managerial and quality-related tasks that will help the project manager succeed. You need to plan how the project should be initiated.   However, your initiation plan should be presented in sufficient detail for someone else to manage it.   You are not expected to have all the answers at this stage; part of the skill of project planning is to ensure that you put the tasks in place to find out what is unknown and to manage the obvious risks. Task 1 (a) As the Project Manager, you are expected to decide on the following: 1. The tasks required to carry out the project aim for at least 10-15 tasks.   Traditional File System (SDLC-System Development Life Cycle) Strategic Study Business study Feasibility study Requirement analysis Requirement Specification Logical system specification Logical Design Physical Design Coding Testing Implementation Maintenance Paste out Relate Traditional File System steps to Hotel management system Case Study. We use Traditional File System for Hotel management systemto develop their system. Strategic study: Project Manager goes to the Hotel study the current system; after he understood what the system that they need to develop is what they technology must use to develop the hotel. Business study:- Project Manager prepare a document project initiation document this will give the general   definition for the developing system   that document shown to the hotel managing director we get the approval to proceed the development the new system. Feasibility study: These step uses to traditional file system how to feasible for hotel computerizes Economical, Technical Operational, even the developing system is most modern if end users are working within difficulty that system isnt operational but this system is not difficulty use. Cost effective ways and ensuring that the investment can be recovered and realize the benefits with allocated budget. The technology needed is available and can be integrated with the other systems of the organization. Deciding how the new system going to fit the current operational system and whether its operationally acceptable. Checking whether the new project is violating law both local and international Requirement analysis: Firstly we interview Hotel managing Director asked question about the current system what they want to include their system to computerize ..,.   Investigating forms and documents which are very useful to determine system data flows and transactions Identifying the outputs by investigating below reports, Hourly report Daily report Monthly report Yearly report Then Checking latest updated procedure manuals and user manuals To study user activities and to concentrate on how it is being handle. Interviewing and supervisor level users to gather opinions about the efficiency about the system, determine the needs of the users that to be in the new system, more specific details about the system. Producing and arranging online Questionnaires for all operational users who are going to use the system. By this can gather information from all the people who are going to have direct contact with the system. Planning formal observation sessions at 3 main hotels, specially the reception area And closely observing the activities performed by the users. And observing customer inquiries reservation process etc Studying a subset documents or subset of the activity in the area in order to get an impression of the whole activity or document set .it is useful to verify findings from interviews or the above discussed techniques. Requirement Specification: How the new computer system should be working this is a kind of the document which clearly specifies the requirement of the users. Use :- Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)    Data Flow Diagram (DFD). Logical system specification:- This hotel computerize system   include several logical specification there are may be several technical option that could be adapted which are capable of delivering the requirement in this stage system analysis first design define what those technical options and then the help of manager select the most suitable option. Logical Design: This step we design a dialog design initial interface are design Update process that change on the line system data and Enquiry process concern the interaction of useful information from system data.(we should involve the hotel manager very strongly specially dialog design influence how to system looks and behave to its users) Physical Design: This step we design program design database design (ERD map into database components), this stage provides all the information required by the programmer. Coding: We use language is Visual Basic for coding.(First programmer code will be written in short pieces that outlines simple as well-defined program function.) Testing:- we tested correctness testing, performance testing ,reliability and recovery testing then security testing stress testing usability testing, unit and integration testing external function testing ,system testing, regression testing, acceptance testing, installation testing, completion testing, test documentation.(   discover and rectify errors below steps are planned to be done) Implementation:- This stage involve preparation of the target side and making the environment the network here the hotel new system to target environment will done and prepare in the user manual and training the hotel worker for the New system.| System will be installed shared in 4 computers which will be networked [LAN] (Configuration with I7 processors, 4 GB Ram..) With all required software. 2. Decide on appropriate task dependencies and state durations of them. Task Duration (1= 1 day)Reference Strategic study 1 A Business study 1   B Feasibility study 1 C Technical Feasibility2 Operational Feasibility1 Legal FeasibilityParallel with Op Feasibility(1) Economical Feasibility3 Requirement analysis D (Forms and documents)1 (Reports)1 (Procedureuser manuals)1 Interview-(Management level)3 Interview-(Supervisor level)3 (Questionnaires)1 (Observation)2 (Subset documentsactivity)1 Requirement specification 3 E Logical system specification 2F Logical design 10 G Physical design 20H Coding 5 I Testing J (Unit) 5 (Integrated) 1 (System)1 (User)2 DebuggingParallel with testing(8)K Implementation L (Installation)2 (User Training)2 (Parallel Running)7 MaintenanceContinues until phase out.M Total Duration81 -The explained tasks in task 1 are shortened and listed down above, under task name. -The Duration 1 is equals to 1 day. -Maintenance starts after implementing the project until phase out. -Total days for the project is 87-(81- planned days, and balances 6 days are to manage risks during the project period. (Table1.1) 3. Create an Activity Net work Diagram with respect to your identified tasks,AND must be given using a standard Tool such as MS Project or MS Visio Critical path- A   B C D E F G H I J   L MS Project Output (b)There are many elements in a typical project plan. One such element is the   Introduction which briefly describes the objectives of the project and the constraints, which affect project management. Prepare such introduction for this project using reasonable assumptions. List and explain with a sentence each other contents of a typical project plan. I am Nadeeshani and Im appointed as a project manager to develop this online hotel Management system for an international hotel chain by the triangle software house. The project is based on upgrading the existing system as an online system along with these main functions, Room reservations for guests The options to add other services like restaurant use, bar use, gym use, etc The system which has the ability to obtain inquires from the guests and the ability to give them an answer/feedback, for example for the customer queries like availability of rooms, reservations and guest list, etc. And to get all the above updates and inquiries from the parties and to maintain the records in the system We hope to start the project on 6Th of July 2010 and we were going to be finished in September 30th 2010 (3 month) period. On that project running period we are considering Saturdays Sundays as working days. We hope to finished this project 26Th of September 2010. The project has run 87 days but we are planning to be completed within 82 days rest 5 days we are planning to do collecting unanticipated problems complete the project report however we will make sure to complete this project in this 87 days period. This is the project plan how we are going to do the project. I hope the committee members will do their best to complete the project. The quality of the system will be maintained throughout the project by regular progress checking and progress monitoring. The project has been run through the 13 stages. Strategic study Business study Feasibility study Requirement analysis Requirement specification Logical system specification Logical design Physical design Coding, Testing Debugging Implementation Maintenance These stages are planned in a greater level of detail. (These plans are used to track progress on a week by week basis through regular progress monitoring.) These stages are also separated into sub tasks basically contains the lowest details. It will specify activities down to a daily level. This will be created in parallel with the above mentioned stage plans. And the monitoring and tracking will be on daily basis. As a project manager I hope we will be finished the project with less errors I believe you all are will be do your best. Clearly indicated whose responsible for what in the project, clearly shown what the project is to deliver, why and for whom and by making the project that can easily understand by everyone, mainly on time and within budget My motivation is to completely utilize my accumulated experience and knowledge to the fullest extent possible and making this projects a success. Task 2 (a) Explain what are your typical responsibilities as a Software Project   Manager in managing any type of software project and your typical tasks A software project manager has the overall responsibility for the successful initiation, planning, execution and closure of a project. A successful Project Manager must simultaneously manage the four basic elements of a project: resources, time, money, and most importantly, scope. All these elements are interrelated. Each must be managed effectively. All must be managed together if the project, and the project manager, is to be a success. Resources People, equipment, material Time Task durations, dependencies, critical path Money Costs, contingencies, profit Scope Project size, goals, requirements This title is used in the construction industry, architecture, information technology and many different occupations that are based on production of a product or service. The project manager must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills. The role of the project manager encompasses many activities including :-Planning and Defining Scope, Activity Planning and Sequencing, Resource Planning, Developing Schedules, Time Estimating, Cost Estimating, Developing a Budget, Controlling Quality, Managing Risks and Issues, Creating Charts and Schedules, Risk Analysis, Benefits Realization, Scalability, Interoperability and Portability Analysis,Documentation,Team Leadership, Strategic Influencing, Customer Liaison. As a software project manager my typical tasks in managing a software project will be below. Manage the production of the required product. Direct and motivate the project team. Plan and monitor the project. Manage business and project risks. Responsible for change control. Report the true progress report and stage assessment to the steering committee. Prepare the end project report. Responsible for project administration. Responsibility Matrix In a large project, there may be many people who have some role in the creation and approval of project deliverables. Sometimes this is pretty straightforward, such as one person writing a document and one person approving it. In other cases, there may be many people who have a hand in the creation, and others that need to have varying levels of approval. The Responsibility Matrix is a technique used to define the general responsibilities for each role on a project. The matrix can then be used to communicate the roles to the appropriate people associated with the team. This helps set expectations, and ensures people know what is expected from them. On the matrix, the different people, or roles, appear as columns, with the specific deliverables in question listed as rows. Then, use the intersecting points to describe each persons responsibility for each deliverable. Ex: (Table 2.1) A Approves the deliverable R Reviews the deliverable (and provides feedback). C Creates the deliverable (could be C (1) for primary, C (2) for backup). Usually there is only one person who is responsible for creating a deliverable, although many people may provide input. I Provides input N Is notified when a deliverable is complete M Manages the deliverables (such as a librarian, or person responsible for the document repository) In the table above, the Requirements Management Plan is created by the project manager, approved by the sponsor and client managers, and reviewed by the project team and analysts. The purpose of the matrix is to gain clarity and agreement on who does what, so you can define the columns with as much detail as makes sense. For instance, in the above example, the Project Team could have been broken into specific people or the person responsible for creating the Data Model could have been broken out into a separate column. After the matrix is completed, it should be circulated for approval. If it is done in the Project Charter process, it can be an addendum to the Project Charter. If it is created as a part of the initial Analysis Phase, it should be circulated as a separate document. Examples of responsibility codes are as follows. Our project may define different codes, as long as you explain what they mean so that people know what the expectations are for them. References http://www.lifecyclestep.com/open/407.0LifecycleRoles.htm (b) Briefly explain how you are going to manage the risk in the above project. Risk management is the process of analyzing exposure to risk and determining how to best handle such exposure. The project is planned to be a continuous process throughout the project until completion and considered in two main parts, the risk analysis part and the risk management part. I have planned to run risk management as below, At the start of the project, as a part of the decision of whether to undertake the project And at every end stage assessments Risk management includes the following activities Planning how risk management will be held in the particular project. Plan should include risk management tasks, responsibilities, activities and budget. Assigning risk officer a team member other than a project manager who is responsible for foreseeing potential project problems. Typical characteristic of risk officer is a healthy skepticism. Maintaining live project risk database. Each risk should have the following attributes: opening date, title, short description, probability and importance. Optionally risk can have assigned person responsible for its resolution and date till then risk still can be resolved. Creating anonymous risk reporting channel. Each team member should have possibility to report risk that he foresees in the project. Preparing mitigation plans for risks that are chosen to be mitigated. The purpose of the mitigation plan is to describe how this particular risk will be handled what, when, by who and how will be done to avoid it or minimize consequences if it becomes a liability. Summarizing planned and faced risks, effectiveness of mitigation activities and effort spend for the risk management. As an analyzing tool to assist in the risk management process, Decision tree is used to analyze the risks, Because the explanation for the result is easily described by simple graph in a simply understandable way which can be combined with other decision techniques as well. Important details can be generated based on its alternatives, probabilities, costs and their preferences for outcomes. First after analyzing the possible risks by identifying, Estimating the effectiveness by comparing the likelihood with the impact of a risk and finally evaluating by confirming that they are in correct sequence and the cross checking with the risk reduction options assessing the acceptable level of each other. We select the most suitable risk management approach for each risk and a detailed plan of action which confirms its goals will be prepared by discussing with members. The risk management consist four main activities and below tasks will be completed at the end of each part. Planning-: Most appropriate selection will be selected for each risk and a detailed plan of action which confirms its desirability and objectives will be developed. Sometimes this activity may proceed in parallel with risk evaluation.  §Resourcing-: This will identify and assign the necessary resources to do the work and will confirm that the revised plan is feasible and cost effective.  §Controlling-: This will make sure that the execution of the plan is having the desired effect on the risk. This will ensure the management of the risk process will apply effectively and it will modify the plan where it necessary.  §Monitoring-: This will check the stages of the risk and also check that the counted measures are happening effectively. During monitoring, if it feels that the risk management plan is ineffective, then we can go back to the risk analysis part. When managing the risks these below features will be considered mainly, Factors that need to continue correctly, threats, systemic risks for the successful delivery project and benefits, risks to the business, risks for the customers and suppliers, risks of unexpected outputs and success of the international hotel chain. This is how I have planned to manage the risk, which can happen during a process and which will effect with a negative result to the process in the project. Task 3 Configuration Management is an essential part of a project. In a large project Configuration librarian plays a major role. Configuration management (CM) is the detailed recording and updating of information that describes an enterprises hardware and software. Such information typically includes the versions and updates that have been applied to installed software packages and the locations and network addresses of hardware devices. Special configuration management software is available. When a system needs hardware or software upgrade, a computer technician can accesses the configuration management program and database to see what is currently installed. The technician can then make a more informed decision about the upgrade needed. An advantage of a configuration management application is that the entire collection of systems can be reviewed to make sure any changes made to one system do not adversely affect any of the other systems Configuration management is also used in software development, where it is called Unified Configuration Management (UCM). Using UCM, developers can keep track of the source code, documentation, problems, changes requested, and changes made. (a) Briefly out line some configuration items in the project given in the scenario. Manage the configuration: Hotel Management systemPlan what is required and how it will be achieved Guests: Room Reservations for guests Services: Adding other services use, restaurant use, bar use by guests Maintenance: To maintain records in the system Inquires: To know about availability of rooms, reservations, gust lists Four computers have to be supplied for the selected project and these computers needs to be networked. Required time schedule for the project is three months. (Use a Configuration Management Plan (Project Quality Plan) Identify components of the final product Use Defining and Analyzing Products (PL2) to create a Configuration Item Record Use unique identifiers for each product and each version: Project Product Type Product Name Product Version. Control changes to baseline products by using change authority Submit products to the Configuration Librarian to put under configuration control Release (issue) products and/or copiesS Product Status Account to record and report product information Report the status of products from the Configuration Librarian Verify product integrity Perform product configuration audits by the Configuration Librarian Perform project audits by Project Assurance. In the above hotel management system developing project at each stage end as an output as below final deliverables will be reported. 1st stage -Strategic study -information technology strategy will be produced. 2nd stage Business study -project initiation document. 3th stage Feasibility study- Feasibility report. 4th stage -Requirement analysis- the gathered exact requirements of the users to develop  Ã‚  Ã‚   the system will be produced as Requirement analysis report 5th stage -Requirement specifications-the requirements will be produced in a diagrammatic way and a wordy report. 6th stage Logical system specification -the mapped business and technical aspects of the system will be produced. 7th stage Logical design- interface design will be produced. 8th stage -Physical design -the database design and program design using miniature specifications like pseudo codes, flowcharts, structure diagrams, etc will be produced. 9th stage -Coding- the written program which is written with a programming language will be produced. 10th stage -Testing -testing report. 11th stage -Debugging-debugging report. 12th stage -Implementation- the released version of the system in the target environment. 13th stage -Maintenance-reports regarding the changes carried out throughout the system after the implementation. (b) Give a statement of the configuration librarians responsibilities. Configuration Librarian is the guardian of all the master copies of the projects products.   Ã‚   The role will be also to look after change control on behalf of the project manager. Purpose   : Custodian and guardian of all master copies of the projects products Receives, baselines and releases (issues) products Updates the product status and informs the Project Manager Maintains the Issue Log. The major tasks of the configuration librarian are summarized as follows:- To control the receipt, identification, storage and issues of all project products To provide information on the status of all products To number, record, store and distribute change control documents The specific responsibilities of the configuration librarian are as follows:- Assist the project manager to prepare the configuration management plan Create libraries at other storage areas to hold products Assist in the identification of products Create configuration item description records Hold the master copies of all project products Maintain the change control records Assist in conducting configuration audits Liaise with other configuration librarians where products required by the project are common to other systems (c) Briefly outline what are the things that we must consider in change control of Project Management. In this hotel management system development, will develop several documents that include all the importance issues regarding to   the development but sometime these document may need to be changed due to various reasons, when doing this changers it has to be done by stranded procedures its called ChangeControl . The change control document is the formal way into this projects any enquiry of a complaint or request, it can be raised by anyone associated with hotel project about anything such as:- A new function occurrence A frailer of a product In meeting some aspect of the user requirement Because of a possible misunderstand A problem with the planning A frailer of communication The change control mainly it has recharge control document such as:- Question document (when a question occurs about a change) It will be submitted to the configuration library and the configuration librar

A TAle of Two Cities :: essays papers

A TAle of Two Cities In every great novel there is a theme that is constant throughout the story. One of the better known themes portrays the fight of good verses evil. Different authors portray this in different ways. Some use colors while others use seasons to show the contrast. Still others go for the obvious and use characters. But what makes them all so different is the authors point of view. In Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities, he portrays good and evil in somewhat of a unique way. Dickens shows this difference by using characters, although we sometimes have to think about the difference between the good and the evil and wonder if they are not the same in the long run. Good and evil differs with the characters in this novel, yet sometimes coincides. One way Dickens portrays a good and evil character contrast is with Sydney Carton and John Barsad. Carton being the good and Barsad the evil. For instance, when Carton tells Lucie he would "do anything for her" it is a promise that he keeps until the end. Carton is a very trustworthy man and would do anything for someone he cares about. Anything including giving up his own life. Barsad, on the other hand, is a spy that doesn't care what he does or whom he hurts. Barsad is definitely not trustworthy for the simple fact that he has dedicated his life to deception. Also, he would do anything to save his own life. This is one way that Dicken's contrasts good and evil using characters. However Dickens also has those characters that are supposed to be good and evil except the reader can't always tell which is which, this happened with the peasants and aristocrats. At first the peasants are supposed to be the good and the aristocrats the evil, yet when the peasants have control they are just as bad as the aristocrats. When the aristocrats had all of the power they were bloodthirsty. They would "sentence a youth to death" for not kneeling for monks. This was a very bad time and this seems and is extremely evil. It seems as if the peasants were good, yet when the tables turned they acted the exact same way as the aristocrats. The peasants had "eleven hundred defenseless prisoners killed just because they could. So the peasants were just as evil as the aristocrats, even though both thought they had just cause. A TAle of Two Cities :: essays papers A TAle of Two Cities In every great novel there is a theme that is constant throughout the story. One of the better known themes portrays the fight of good verses evil. Different authors portray this in different ways. Some use colors while others use seasons to show the contrast. Still others go for the obvious and use characters. But what makes them all so different is the authors point of view. In Charles Dicken's A Tale of Two Cities, he portrays good and evil in somewhat of a unique way. Dickens shows this difference by using characters, although we sometimes have to think about the difference between the good and the evil and wonder if they are not the same in the long run. Good and evil differs with the characters in this novel, yet sometimes coincides. One way Dickens portrays a good and evil character contrast is with Sydney Carton and John Barsad. Carton being the good and Barsad the evil. For instance, when Carton tells Lucie he would "do anything for her" it is a promise that he keeps until the end. Carton is a very trustworthy man and would do anything for someone he cares about. Anything including giving up his own life. Barsad, on the other hand, is a spy that doesn't care what he does or whom he hurts. Barsad is definitely not trustworthy for the simple fact that he has dedicated his life to deception. Also, he would do anything to save his own life. This is one way that Dicken's contrasts good and evil using characters. However Dickens also has those characters that are supposed to be good and evil except the reader can't always tell which is which, this happened with the peasants and aristocrats. At first the peasants are supposed to be the good and the aristocrats the evil, yet when the peasants have control they are just as bad as the aristocrats. When the aristocrats had all of the power they were bloodthirsty. They would "sentence a youth to death" for not kneeling for monks. This was a very bad time and this seems and is extremely evil. It seems as if the peasants were good, yet when the tables turned they acted the exact same way as the aristocrats. The peasants had "eleven hundred defenseless prisoners killed just because they could. So the peasants were just as evil as the aristocrats, even though both thought they had just cause.

Anthony Trollope’s He Knew He Was Right :: Morals Happiness Struggles Papers

Anthony Trollope’s He Knew He Was Right Anthony Trollope’s He Knew He Was Right is unique among the prolific writer’s novels in having as its title a complete declarative sentence. Such a title stands as a sort of challenge to the reader: it invites us, as we make our way through the novel’s densely detailed presentation of lived reality, to consider the relation between that reality and the proposition put forward in the title sentence. What does it mean to say that Louis Trevelyan â€Å"knew he was right†? Even if we are unconvinced by J. Hillis Miller’s argument that â€Å"a long multi-plotted novel like He Knew He Was Right, with all its wealth and particularity of character, incident, realistic detail, may be an exploration of a single ‘complex word’† (Miller 77), Trollope’s choice of title inevitably throws us back, as we attempt to make sense of the events narrated under that title, on questions of moral epistemology; that is, it compels reflection on ho w we know what is right and on the extent to which we can be secure in that knowledge. Obliged to read the narrative as, among other things, a meditation on â€Å"knowing† and on â€Å"rightness,† we can perceive that Trollope’s concern here is with the manner in which his characters come to possess certainty in their moral judgments, with the process by which they acquire the disposition towards what is â€Å"right† that we can label â€Å"virtue.† â€Å"Who would ever think of learning to live out of an English novel?† an irritated Caroline Spalding asks her zealously romantic sister, a credulous devotee of the genre. We might turn her question on its head and ask how it is that people learn how to live in an English novel, and what He Knew He Was Right in particular has to say about becoming good. If the novel’s most prominent interest is in the breakdown or perversion of moral certainty, exemplified in the grotesque errors of judgment that deprive Trevelyan of his family and his sanity, it also manifests a subsidiary interest in the ways in which moral agents can replace such false certainty with the sort of just and balanced ethical vision that Trevelyan so conspicuously lacks. As we will see, this concern with moral education is displayed most directly in the novel’s secondary narrative threads, in which both Jemima Stanbury and her niece Dorothy attain an empathetic subtlety of perception and a depth of understanding of others that are absent in their former selves, as depicted at the opening of the novel.

Communal harmony and the question of cultural identity Essay

Harmony and the co-existence of mutli-faceted elements are the two essential ingredients of any society which seeks sustainable longevity. In a pluralistic society the question of harmonious existence of its different structural units becomes all the more pertinent. An analogy can be observed with the human body wherein the different functional systems work in unison to create a perfect coherence. Like in the human body where, different organs combine to form organ systems, in a human society smaller population groups combine to form socio-cultural entities based on particular types of identification. Unlike their biological counterparts this process of identification is not scientific and fully rational. The identification followed by human beings depends on ceratin social mores and socio-cultural guidelines which may vary from race, colour, creed, gender, class etc. to religion, region and nationality. This process is sometimes a skewed one as during the course of it a particular social grouping more than often identifies comparatively with respect to other grouping and instead of harmonising itself with other groupings differentiates with them. In case of India, the scenario is not only a peculiar one but is also intertwined with its socio-political realities. We live in a highly diversified pluralistic society wherein the number of cultural elements outscore the structural ethos provided by any type of government. The different communities in India classify themselves according to different criteria which differ temporally as well as contextually. The classification process is so well differentiatied that many of the times, people originally belonging to a particular group start associating themselves with completely different groups in different contexts e. g. people belonging to a particular caste group may associate differently with each other on the basis of economic class or educational standards. The concept of cultural identity is at the core of the Indian society. The historical formation of Indian society provides us with an idea of its multi-faceted diversity and non-inclusive cultural developments. Social history of India outlines how various indigenous as well as foreign elements reacted and intermingled in an undefined manner to produce newer cultural traits for the population to identify with. Religion, language, ideology etc. have, from time to time, given various channels for cultural identification. The communal formation of Indian society is to be observed in not a narrow way. Though religion provides the most simple way of communal identification in India, we must remeber that the idea of community is central to process of communalization

Marriage, Divorce, and Military Families

Running head: Marriage, Divorce, and Military Families Marriage, Divorce, and Military Families Marriage is a conduit through which God's grace flows to the couple and their children. The church understands marriage between a man and woman to be a sacrament, a visible sign of the grace that God gives them to help them live their lives here and now so as to be able to join him in eternity. Marriage is social as well as religious, but its religious aspects are very important. The Bible repeatedly compares the relationship between man and wife to that between God and Israel or between Christ and his Church. For marriage is a holy vocation. Since the Church sees marriage as holy, it believes it must be treated with reverence. It also recognizes that marriage is basic to the health of society and therefore a public institution that must be defended against harm. Marriage is a public institution. Consequently, proposals that could harm the institution of marriage must be subjected to the same sort of objective analysis that we give any public policy question. Marriage is not just a private matter of emotion between two people. On the contrary, its success or failure has measurable impact on all of society. Rational analysis yields solid, objective reasons for limiting marriage to one man and one woman-reason anyone can agree with on purely secular grounds (Zinn, B. M. , D. Eitzen, S. , Wells, B. , 2008). However, one of the downsides to redefining marriage would be the weakening of the meaning of marriage, which would be divorces. Human nature being what it is, if the meaning of marriage is weakened, it will be psychologically easier for even more people to divorce. Look at what happened when â€Å"no-fault† divorce was legalized. The divorce rate skyrocketed. If the nature of marriage is further undermined in the minds of couples then when things get rocky, more couples will be tempted not to work through their problems and get happy again but rather to divorce and find someone else (Hogan,  P. ,  ,  R. ,  2010). That is a bad idea, because most marriage therapists agree that divorce generally â€Å"doesn't work. † Divorce doesn't solve the problems that caused the first marriage to break up. Divorced people bring the same problems to their new marriages that broke up their old ones. That's why second and later arriages are statistically far more likely to end in divorce than first marriages are. Also, a large majority of couples who contemplate divorce but stay together describe themselves as â€Å"happily married† five years later. So staying together â€Å"works† better than divorce. The Romans had an interesting view towards marriage – ‘matrimonia debent esse libera’ or ‘marriages ought to be free’. This meant that either spouse could opt out of the marriage if things weren’t working out for them. Centuries later, Victorian England had a vastly different view (Bouvier, 1856). People got married and stayed together for better or for worse. Society frowned on divorce and divorced people were likely to find themselves social pariahs. In the present century, both these views prevail. It depends on which part of the planet you live in and in what kind of culture. â€Å"Divorce rates are higher in European or American countries, where individual freedom is given higher stress, than in, say, Asian or African ones, where familial and social opinions cause higher stress. With globalization, of course, the ‘backward’ countries are catching up. Women, especially, with access to higher education and higher salaries, are less willing to put up with traditional roles and expectations† (Devine). Social and cultural moralists are having a field day, predicting, like always, dire consequences for the ‘social fabric’. No, divorce isn’t joy-inducing, but then neither is a corrosive marriage. In such a case, splitting up is preferable to staying together ‘for the children’ or to keep up social appearances. Anyway, it all really depends upon the kind of relationship you have. Some relationships are worth working on, some aren’t. There are many different and complex causes and reasons for divorce, each of them specific to that particular couple’s marital relationship, their individual experiences and personal problems. None of them may seem ‘common’ to the people going through a divorce, of course, but many of the reasons recur enough to warrant the term. These causes for divorce may vary from the lack of commitment to the marriage to the lack of communication between spouses; infidelity; abandonment; Physical, sexual, or even Substance Abuse, etc. Furthermore, it takes a very special person to stand and accept that the rest of their lives are devoted to something larger than themselves and their own little worlds. It takes an incredible commitment and an enduring love to withstand a life supporting someone else who may not be there by their beside on days when you are feeling blue, and who may not hold you in those times when the life around you is not so sweet. Now, marriage is hard enough, there are times when all husbands and wives question the sanity of a relationship that requires such hard work. Couples get through this by being together and keeping at it as a team. Sadly, many military relationships do not have this luxury of being together to keep things on track. This is when the military husband or wife just has to sort through â€Å"couple issues† alone (Rentz et al, 2007). Only the strongest committed individual can carry the weight of two in a relationship, and it takes a strong intimate trusting bond to make it at all possible. The military eases the lives of service members and their families in some very significant ways. Paychecks are regular. Benefits, such as healthcare and legal assistance, are unparalleled in the civilian world. And, in a time of economic uncertainty, the job security provided by the armed forces is a true blessing (Rentz et al, 2007). However, every positive aspect of military life is matched by at least one negative, especially for married service members and their families. Military and civilian marriages face the same marriage-stressors and marriage-killers, but the challenges faced by military marriages are both compounded and additional (Banner, 2008). Danielle Rentz and associates argues that the impact and stress of war may occur before, during, and after deployment and extend beyond the military soldier to include stress and emotional disturbance for his or her family. Anticipation of deployment can lead to feelings of anger, resentment, and hurt within the family. Separation during deployment may create the assumption of new family roles by the partner left behind, disruption of family routines, uncertainty about the service member’s safety, and the inability to plan for the future (Rentz et al, 2007). They base their discussion on the research and studies on the Effect of Deployment on the Occurrence of Child Maltreatment in Military. Betty Myers writes a testimony of her days married to a military man and unravels a story from past that lead to divorce. Her story is yet another cause for divorce within a military family. The stress of war and unknowing of what occurs to a spouse takes a toll on a marriage. This is a testimony of her personal experience and this will assist my paper for the causes of divorce (Myers, 1988). Bennington Banner analyzes the statistical data of military divorce rate in every branch of the Arm Forces. He states that the long and repeated deployments required of many troops have been widely blamed for unprecedented stresses on military couples. Spouses at home must manage families and households without their partner. He concluded that there were an estimated 10,200 failed marriages in the active duty Army and 3,077 among Marines, according to figures obtained by The Associated Press for the budget year ended Sept. 30. His data can help me prove the point that the numbers of divorce in the Arm Forces are staggering (Banner, 2008). Joseph Devine explains that military marriages undergo a very specific set of strains. They face the possibility of sudden moves to far-off locales, rapid deployments, and even premature death. He stated â€Å"when you're married to someone in the military, it's often like you're married to the military itself† (Devine). Your life revolves around what the military wants from you and your spouse, and there's not a whole lot you can do about it. In summary, the ways in which each military marriage survives are all personal and unique to their own, but the emotional journey is one that can really be understood only by another military spouse (Hogan,  P. ,  ,  R. ,  2010). The one thing all military spouses have in common with each other is their ultimate pride in their husbands and wives, and to survive the journey as a military spouse, their shared pride of place alongside their incredible military husbands and wives. While military marriages are an entity of their own, the non-military couples could learn many things from them. The special goodbyes for instance are important. A military husband or wife knows the value of not leaving issues unresolved, and has learned the art of letting the silly things go (Hogan,  P. ,  ,  R. ,  2010). They do not have until the afternoon, or the next day or the day after that to get over it, they are too aware that tomorrow is unpredictable. A military marriage does not have the time to wallow in unimportant debate. The most important thing to them is to be sure to let the one they love know that they are appreciated. Petty unimportant arguments have a way of clouding the unconditional love that holds a marriage together. References Banner, B. Divorce rate up in Army, Marine Corps. (2008,  December  3). Retrieved February 3, 2010, from ProQuest Newsstand. (Document ID:  1606239161). Bouvier, J. (1856). Matrimonia debent esse libera. (n. d. ) A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. Retrieved April 27 2010 from http://legal-dictionary. thefreedictionary. com/Matrimonia+debent+esse+libera Devine, J. Divorce and the Military. Retrieved from http://ezinearticles. com/? Divorce- and-the-Military=3605202 Hogan,  P. ,  ,  R.. (2010). Marriage and the Military: Evidence That Those Who Serve Marry Earlier and Divorce Earlier. Armed Forces and Society,  36(3),  420. Retrieved May 4, 2010, from Career and Technical Education. (Document ID:  2002732321). Myers, B. (1988). Story Of A Thrown-Away Military Wife. Minerva,  VI(2),  77. Retrieved February 3, 2010, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID:  624746591). Rentz, E. D. ,  Marshall, W. S. ,  Loomis, D, Casteel, C. , Martin, S. L. ,   Gibbs, D. A. (2007). Effect of Deployment on the Occurrence of Child Maltreatment in Military and Nonmilitary Families. American Journal of Epidemiology,  165(10),  1199-206. Retrieved February 3, 2010, from ProQuest Health and Medical Complete. (Document ID:  1268687131). Zinn, B. M. , D. Eitzen, S. , Wells, B. , (2008). Divorce and Remarriage. (Ed. 8) Diversity of Families (pp. 393- 410). Prentice Hall