Strategic Issues in Project Management

An issue is something that has happened and either threatens or enhances the  success of a project. Issue management is the process for recording and  handling any event or problem. Some of the issues can be dealt within the  project. However strategic issues may require a change in order to keep the  project viable.  The concept of “strategic issues” has emerged as a way to identify and manage  factors and forces that can significantly affect an organization’s future strategies  and tactics.  Project owners need to be aware of the possible and probable impacts of  strategic issues. The project team leader has the primary responsibility to focus  the owner’s resources to deal with project strategic issues.  In a project, a strategic issue is a condition of pressure, either internal or  external, that will have a significant effect on one or more factors of the project,  such as its financing, design, engineering, Continue reading

Concept of Accountability in Financial Management

“Accountability breeds responsibility” – This is a famous quote by Dr. Stephen R. Covey gives the meaning of accountability in rather general terms. The concept of accountability can be defined as the process through which a person is held answerable for his actions and deeds. Under the umbrella of the organization the notion of accountability can be stated as the phenomenon through which whether a person at the higher level of hierarchy or at the lower level is accountable for his works and services that he renders to the organization. Accountability from the organizational perspective bears great importance as it is the measure through which the performance of the organization and a person serving can be judged and analysed. Accountability has different forms. First, the individualizing form of accountability can be studied in which the accountability contributes in making the realization of the image an individual perceives about it. This Continue reading

Cloud Computing Models

There are many considerations for cloud computing architects to make when moving from a standard enterprise application deployment model to one based on cloud computing. There are three basic cloud computing models to consider, and they differed as the open APIs versus the proprietary ones. These are public, private and hybrid cloud and IT organization can choose to deploy applications according to their requirements. IT organizations can choose to deploy applications on public, private, or hybrid clouds, each of which has its trade-offs. The terms public, private, and hybrid do not dictate location. While public clouds are typically “out there” on the Internet and private clouds are typically located on premises, a private cloud might be hosted at a collocation facility as well. Companies may make a number of considerations with regard to which cloud computing model they choose to employ, and they might use more than one model to Continue reading

Data Analytics in Healthcare Industry

Health is the most integral part of life. In the healthcare industry a vast amount of data is generated from different segments of healthcare organizations such as hospitals, healthcare service providers, insurance providers etc. However, like other sectors ranging from retail to banking, who have already leveraged the potentials of big data, the healthcare industry has not yet fully explored the importance of big data in deriving valuable insights from such vast amount of data at hand. For example, Grocery stores determine the loyalty of their customers by identifying the sales patterns, giving discounts and special offers, having a mix of products which not only improve their profits but also, increases their customer satisfaction. Claims providers and payers, the pharmaceutical industry has now only utilized big data to tackle issues such as changes in the quality of healthcare services, reducing fraud and abuse of claims, improved care. Due to the Continue reading

Keynesian and Classical Economists Views about Disequilibrium

Economists usually define general disequilibrium as the state in which contrasting market forces of supply and demand fail to reach a balance and there exist an intrinsic inclination for change. The main indicator of market disequilibrium is the continuation of shortages either in the demand or supply side of the economy. There are two main models that hold divergent views concerning disequilibrium namely the Keynesian and Classical Economists models. Generally, the major causes for disequilibrium in the markets if the deficiencies created either in the aggregate demand or aggregate supply side of the economy. This means that in such circumstances the market does not clear. Main causes of disequilibrium are understood in the light of the economic model s followed by scholars. For instance, the Keynesian theory’s causes differ from that of classical economists. For instance, following Keynesian’s view, disequilibrium arises when there are disparities between leakages and injections where Continue reading

Cross Cultural Decision Making – Programmed and Non-Programmed Decision Making

It is becoming quite apparent that businesses, big and small, need to understand how decision making affects their entire operations. When making decisions, managers in organizations apply either a programmed or a non programmed decision  making process. Both processes are affected by the culture of the society in which the decision is being made. For example, mangers in countries with relatively low tolerance for ambiguity, such as Japan and Germany, avoid non programmed decisions as making. Operating manuals in organizations in these cultures tend to be relatively thick. In contrast, mangers in countries with relatively high tolerance for ambiguity, such as the United States and Norway, seek responsibility for non-programmed decision making. The secrets of effective decision making lie in the balance between rational and intuitive thought. The following strategies provide a useful framework for making effective decision. Determine the problem and identify the goals to be accomplished by your Continue reading