Category: economics

Reviewing the cost estimates for the project

Posted on | by Kelvin

 

You are the project manager of a project. While reviewing the cost estimates for the project, you notice that one of the cost estimates for a WBS item is 20% higher than previous projects for very similar work. What should you do next?
Together with your team, you have applied three-point estimation to a critical path consisting of two activities. The following duration uncertainties are calculated assuming a confidence interval of ±3 sigma. The duration uncertainty -defined as the pessimistic estimate minus the optimistic one- of the first activity is 18 days; the second estimate has an uncertainty of 24 days. Applying the PERT formula, what is the duration uncertainty of the entire path?
Your project has exceeded costs in the past due to underestimation of resource costs at the cost baseline: PV: $1,200,000, EV: $1,000,000, AC: $1,200,000. You expect underestimation to influence the future as much as it did in the past. If the BTC (Budget to Complete) is $1,000,000, what should your new EAC (Estimate at Completion) be?

Case Study Martin Luther King Jr

Posted on | by Kelvin

 

Case Study Martin Luther King Jr
Identify the person or company of focus, explaining their context and why this case is important to study. Share why you selected this particular case as your choice.
Evaluate their ability to persuade. What techniques or principles do they utilize in their speaking/presentations? How does the audience respond? Why is it effective? Do they transform their audience? If so, how?
Explain, in your opinion, why this person is considered a great communicator. Do you personally resonate with this person? Why or why not? What ideas for your own presentations do you take away from this Case Study?

US Automotive Industry

Posted on | by Kelvin

 

 

You have been asked to present your data findings and decision-making modeling to the leadership panel for feedback prior to the stakeholder meeting presentation. The panel wants to preview the charts and graphs that will be included in your presentation based on the research you have conducted. They would like to see how you will use the data to inform your recommendation, and how you will tell the story of that data.
Directions
Part 1: Using the research gathered in Project One, create a visualization for each of the following, then summarize what the data is showing:
The current state of the U.S. automotive manufacturing industry
Sales by fuel type (electric, hybrid, gas)
Current automotive industry trends
The trend toward different types of motors for the vehicles being made and sold, such as electric and hybrid
Trends in customer demands such as vehicle color, extra features, and styles
Trends in the body types of vehicles sold (SUVs, trucks, sedans)
Trends in the new industry
Expected growth areas
Sales by type of products or services offered
Trends in customer demands
Then, provide a summary of all of the data visualized.

Summarize the collective data about both industries as a whole.
Determine what the data is not telling you about the new industry.
Part 2: Analyze three decision making models and select the one model that is best suited for making your decision.
Analyze and provide an overview of the following three models and select one for use. Resources are listed in the Supporting Materials section.
The Rational Model
The Intuitive Model
The Recognition-Primed Model
Explain your choice of decision-making model.
Why does your selection make the most sense for this project?
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit a PowerPoint presentation of 12 to 15 slides with speaker notes. Sources should be cited according to APA style.

Interrelationship between the success of an economy and the financial markets, concepts, and financial institutions

Posted on | by Kelvin

Your niece just started her college career with a major in economics. She is curious as to the interrelationship between the success of an economy and the financial markets, concepts, and financial institutions. Accordingly, she has developed a list of questions addressing these issues and has asked that you explain the ideas.

What are the financial markets and what purposes do they serve?
What are financial intermediaries?
How do these intermediaries function in the economy?
What is a federal government budget deficit?
What is the national debt?
How does a budget deficit affect the economy?
She is also curious about the time value of money concepts.
Specifically, she has the following questions about these concepts:

Why are consumers considered to be risk averse?
What methods could be used to deal with risk?
It has been said that a dollar received today is worth more than a dollar received tomorrow.
What does this mean and what is the significance to the economy?
What is the difference between the present value of a future sum of money and the future value of a present sum of money?
What is the significance of these concepts to economics?
If you deposited $1,000 in an account paying 6% interest compounded annually, how long would it take to double?

 

Economic analysis on the proposed venture

Posted on | by Kelvin

 

Intel has an opportunity to supply semiconductor integrated circuit boards (sicb) to Hewlett Packard (hp). Hewlett Packard will pay $6 million upfront i.e. when the contract is signed and $2.49 million for the first year, $1 million for the second year and $8.5 million in the third year. Intel had obtained loan from Goldman Sachs (an investment bank) prior to the initial payment from hp and invest $4 million from it at the beginning of the project. Subsequently, Intel spend $3 million, $9 million, $3 million, 2.77million, and $3 million as running cost for the first, second, third, fourth and fifth year respectively. Hewlett Packard will take delivery of the semiconductor integrated circuit boards during year 4, and agrees to pay $3 million at the end of that year and the $ 5 million balance at the end of year 5. The outcome of the rate of return on this investment as compare with the minimum attractive rate of return (MARR) will determine if Intel will continue to sustain their current staff strength or they will cede to the option of downsizing after the completion of the 5 year deal. Intel management request her project management team to conduct an economic analysis on the proposed venture (project) so that they can be better informed on policy formulation in readiness for any exigency that may result from the project. These exigencies include but not limited to staff downsizing, staff retainment, salary freezing, salary cut or closing down some of their plants since they are multinational company. The project management team is planning to approach the task as follows:
1. Generate a table depicting the cash flow estimates for the Project
2. Draw the cash flow diagram for the cash flow estimates
3. Determine the number of rates of return values this project is likely to have.
4. Obtain the values for the rate of return using Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet). These values should be obtain by plotting the Present worth against the range of rate of return values (0 % to 100 %, step increase of 5 %)
5. Evaluate the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for the zero net present worth using Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet
6. Intel management have set a MARR of 15% for any of their project; will you advised Intel to embark on this project knowing the net positive cash flow received from Hewlett Packard is reinvested at 14% . The loan Intel obtained from Goldman Sachs for the production of the semiconductor circuit board is borrowed at a rate of 7 %.
7. Evaluate the total present, annual and future worth of the project and use these values besides the rate of return value as part of your metric to determine the viability of the project.

 

Economic system and how it works.

Posted on | by Kelvin

Your son is graduating from high school and is about to enter the work force. He has developed a strong curiosity about our economic system and how it works. Because you have a good understanding of basic economics, he has asked you to explain several concepts that are essential to an understanding of how the economy works. Your son has asked you to explain the following concepts and ideas:
Absolute and comparative advantage: Explain how these concepts describe the benefits and costs of international trade.
“Invisible hand”: What is it and how does it affect the decision-making process in our economic system?
Circular flow diagram: Include the government sector in your explanation, a description of the roles that each participant plays in the economy, and how the different sectors interact in the markets.
The Production Possibilities model: Provide an example and include a summary of what the model is illustrating and the economic implications for the economy.
Microeconomics and macroeconomics: Explain the differences between the two and why economics is divided into these two subdivisions.

Gabriela Manufacturing

Posted on | by Brian Leakey
  1. Gabriela Manufacturing must decide whether to insource or outsource a new toxic-free miracle carpet cleaner that works with its Miracle Carpet Cleaning Machine. If it decides to insource the product, the process would incur $325,000 of annual fixed costs and $1.50 per unit of variable costs. If it is outsourced, a supplier has offered to make it for an annual fixed cost of $125,000 and a variable cost of $2.25 per unit in variable costs.
    (a) Given these two alternatives, determine the indifference point (where total costs are equal).
    (b) If the expected demand for the new miracle cleaner is 300,000 units, what would you recommend that Gabriela Manufacturing do?
  2. Downhill Boards (DB), a producer of snowboards, is evaluating a new process for applying the finish to its snowboards. Durable Finish Company (DFC) has offered to apply the finish for $175,000 in fixed costs and a unit variable cost of $0.65. Downhill Boards currently incurs a fixed annual cost of $120,000 and has a variable cost of $0.90 per unit. Annual demand for the snowboards is 160,000.
    (a) Calculate the annual cost of the current process used at Downhill Boards.
    (b) Calculate the annual cost if Durable Finish Company applies the finish.
    (c) Find the indifference point for these two alternatives.
    (d) How much of a change in demand is needed to justify outsourcing the process?

Research and evidence-based practice (EBP) by exploring our past.

Posted on | by Brian Leakey

We begin our journey into discovering the new world of research and evidence-based practice (EBP) by exploring our past. After completing the required readings and lesson, answer the following:
• Explain how research has evolved since the Florence Nightingale era.
• Discuss how research and EBP are different; include how you believe research supports EBP for nursing.
• Describe one past/historical unethical breach of research conduct; then, share how you would ensure care of a study participant using one ethical or legal research consideration (guideline/principle).

Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice in Recreational Therapy

Posted on | by Brian Leakey

James Jensen is a 55-year-old artist. He is on VA disability benefits and cannot work. He has two grown children and was recently divorced after 20 years of marriage. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after an incident of drunk driving 10 years ago. He has since joined Alcoholics Anonymous and treats his bipolar with medication. The divorce has caused him to sink into a depression.He lives alone in the home where he raised his children with his ex-wife. He is independent in all ADLs, including driving and community mobility at an ambulatory level. He has lost interest in his artwork and is gaining weight rapidly from inactivity. He loves the outdoors, especially hiking and fishing, but has recently lacked the motivation to go. He has a few close friends in the arts community, and his children visit him often.James saw his therapist for a routine medication check. The doctor is concerned with his weight gain and depressed state and is increasing cognitive behavioral therapy and adjusting his antidepressant. He has referred James to you, a CTRS at the outpatient mental health VA facility, to help him reach his goals. James’ provider shares the following information from his most recent visit:

Significant past medical history: Disability discharge VA due to mental health. Patient has a history of alcohol abuse. Mood stabilized with medication. Patient has a tendency to self-medicate. Lithium used as requires patient to complete routine blood work.

Medications: Lithium 600 mg orally in the morning and at nighttime. Lurasidone (Latuda) 40 mg orally once a day.

Cognition/perception: Current depressive state due to social situation. Vacillates between mania and depression. Maintained with medication. Patient reports high level of sadness and lack of motivation. Patient tends to stop medication when mood elevates.

Physical Examination: WNL”

Client Goals

1.Increase social supports

2.Learn techniques to cope with stress

3.Increase exercise to maintain healthy weight

  1. Create a treatment plan for James Jensen, using evidence-based practice to guide your decision on appropriate interventions following the DENT problem-solving method

a. Define the problem: Clearly identify and articulate the specific problem or challenge that needs to be addressed. This involves understanding the current situation, desired outcomes, and any constraints or limitations (1 paragraph)

b.Explore possible solutions: Generate a range of potential solutions or approaches to solving the problem. Encourage creative thinking and consider different perspectives or alternative options.(1 paragraph)

c. Narrow down options: Evaluate the potential solutions and select the most feasible and effective ones. Consider the advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks associated with each option.(1 paragraph)

d. Take action: Implement the chosen solution or solutions. Develop a plan, allocate resources, and set specific goals and timelines for execution. (1 paragraph)

2.What assessment would be most appropriate for you to give to James? (1 paragraph: Question 2 and Question 3)

3.What factors must be considered when planning James’ intervention?

4.What is your PICO question? (1 paragraph: Question 4 and Question 5)

5.What outcomes do you anticipate from your treatment plan?

6.How will you evaluate the outcomes of your treatment plan? (1 paragraph: Question 6 and Question 7)

7.What contraindications should you consider in James’ treatment? (1 paragraph)

8.What recreational activities would be appropriate considering James’ interests, goals, and current functioning level?” 1 paragraph)