Abstract Budgetary control in project management is a critical component of the success of any project. Maylor's 7Ss of project management (staff, skills, style, stakeholders, strategy, systems, and structure) all play a role in the ability of a project manager to maintain project control. This paper shows that a clearly defined budget, both during the early management planning stages and day-to-day working budgets, is important. Further, a series of milestones and outcomes can help the project managers to maintain budgetary control. The paper explains that the responsibility for overspending can alternatively lie with customers, the project management team, or unforeseen outside influences, depending on the reason for the overspending. However, a good project manager always has some degree of responsibility for overspending and can help control this process by effectively using milestones to help control the budgetary control process.
From the Paper "Wysocki, Beck and Crane (1995) outline the importance of estimating activity duration, resource requirements, and cost. Duration should take into consideration activity duration versus resource loading. Precise estimating is important in this area, which can easily run over budget. As well, the authors estimate duration in terms of the availability of resources. As such, they suggest that project managers assign duration in terms of total work done, and the percent of work done each day. Further, they argue that a Joint Project Planning (JPP) session can be crucial in estimating both resources and activity duration."
Abstract This paper, using Pennsylvania as a model, demonstrates the differences between state budgeting policies and federal budgeting policies. It shows how the budgeting techniques in the federal government have some major differences, when compared to those in the Pennsylvania State government; these differences include a lack of a separate capital budget, different budget cycles and timelines, and budgetary policy differences.
From the Paper "The federal government uses only one budget to lay out its financial obligations, whereas Pennsylvania uses two separate budgets. The single operating budget used by the federal government is required to outline federal expenditures from purchases to service contracts. Pennsylvania, however, has one budget that outlines services, entitlements and education expenses, and a different budget to make new purchases on capital improvements. The former is called the General Fund, and the latter is the Capital budget. Pennsylvania uses two budgets because the General Fund is used for purchases and contracts that will take place within that fiscal year, and the Capital budget is used to forecast capital purchases in the next five years. In this manner, Pennsylvania can keep better track of its assets and have a tighter grip on where its money is spent. The biggest advantage to having a separate budget for capital improvements is it allows the possibility of change. When funding is appropriated on the federal level, the department gets its money all at once and builds whatever it needs. For a state, though, a program may be feasible at the time of its announcement, but may have to be restricted due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. September 11th and the economic downfall.) "
This paper states that, from a nurse's perspective, common business practices can make health care providers more efficient, while allowing them to still retain their compassion for their patients.
Abstract This paper explains that training and development in customer service techniques and procedures can develop a more professional support staff while creating better doctor/patient relationships; patients are people and would like to be treated as such. The author points out that budgetary concerns are now the entire staff's concern; nurses should be aware of keeping costs down in all areas of the hospital or practice. The paper stresses that a well-managed facility will operate more effectively, with less strife and stress, and this attitude will be apparent to patients and their families.
Table of Contents
Training and Development
Marketing
Budgeting and Financial Concerns
Management
From the Paper "Training also carries through to the patient sector. Medical facilities who understand the need for preventative medicine have begun training patients in a wide variety of areas, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle to prevent or control a wide variety of diseases, from diabetes to heart disease, children's nutrition to poison control. For example, in one area, "A school nutrition program encouraged local communities to develop materials to provide direct experience with nutritional effects and how they were created in their own community" (Heirich 197). These training sessions rely on medical professionals who can also connect with a broad audience, and so, trainers must teach the medical experts how to react to and connect with a non-medical audience. In large health care organizations, a training and development department is vital in providing the most up-to-date and relevant health care to the community."
Abstract This report introduces the issues of fiscal balance in terms of problems faced by the Clinton administration and identifies alternative solutions. The paper also looks at existing literature on the subject and related issues, such as Clinton's financial advice to Japanese leaders and various interpretations of political occurrences of the time. The methodology of the report concentrates on financial data derived from existing literature, with an eye on the reduction of bias through a balanced report. Additionally, the paper analyzes data and discusses questions of how balance was achieved and provides recommendations for the future in terms of fiscal policy that can be derived from extant data.
From the Paper "The reduction of deficit and fiscal balance was particularly highlighted in the later years of the Clinton administration, but it may have had roots in the beginning of the administration in terms of the background of the policies which went into effect regarding government spending and tax revenue. When Clinton came into office, he had ideas about overhauling spending which were soon put into practice so that spending could be increased and tax cuts for the wealthy would not be a big part of the program. There was significant dissonance between this vision, which also included extensive healthcare and welfare reform, and the vision of the mostly-Republican Congress which was in office for most of Clinton's years in office, and this also adds substantially to the
background of fiscal policy. For example, Clinton's programs were more likely to be slowed down in Congress by this type of system."
Abstract This paper explains that plans currently being discussed to privatize Social Security would allow individuals to redirect between two to four percentage points (out of 6.2) of their payroll tax into personal accounts. The author points out that one of the budget problems in this funding of any privatization plan is administration, the costs of which would rise dramatically in a partially privatized system. The paper concludes that there is no way to analyze the budgetary effect of a partial privatization plan for Social Security because the variables are legion and probably only partially apparent and the problem of predicting the effect of the voluntary retirement plans on the stock market, which in turn affect government income, is overwhelming.
From the Paper "The Bush plan to partially privatize Social Security calls for what appears at first glance to be a simple shift of funds. If an individual has ten dollars in his wallet and can give eight of it to his banker to keep for his old age and put two of it into some speculative deal-let's say his nephew's Gator Aid-powered car design-then the bank has lost his $2 and along with it, one might assume, the costs of administrating that $2. On the other hand, he also has the opportunity to make millions with that minor investment. Since most of the current proposals would diminish Social Security income by the amount an individual earned in the private portion beyond a poverty-line-linked minimum income, the Social Security administration would save enormously on the successful investors by not having to send any checks. For someone who invested in Mr. Buzzbrain's Political Campaign No-Fail Exit Poll Predictor, however, and lost his or her $2, the Social Security administration would kick in to raise that person's retirement income to a poverty-line-linked minimum income."
Abstract This paper explains that the control function plays an important role in both management and accounting because it includes a top-bottom flow, where the upper management or higher authorities oversee a certain process and a bottom-top process, when the feedback and follow-up actions come from the lower levels. The author points out that forecasting is essential in a relevant and well set-up expenditure system because forecasting permits the upper management and the decision factors within the company to establish what the financial requirements will be for the company in the next period of time, which creates the necessary premises for a thoroughly established budget. The paper states that the most relevant informational source within the company, which can influence the decision process in preparing future budgets, is the financial report, which lets the decision bodies know how the company is performing at the respective level from a financial point of view.
Table of Contents
Control Function
Forecasting
Performance Measurement
Preparation for Future Budgets
From the Paper "The 4000 Direct Expenses account is where expenses that "will stop when you are not working." Labor and materials are two examples that come to mind in this case. However, there is a long list of indirect expenses that are associated with a business and these are recorded in the 5000 Indirect Expenses account. This are supposed to never go away, but it may often be the case that a manager will discover all kinds of expenditures that were made and were recorded here, expenses which do not necessarily increase the added-value of the company."
Abstract The space shuttle program from inception has been challenged by trade-offs. Management at NASA is forced to make difficult decisions regarding schedule and budgets, and some of those decisions aren't proper from an engineering perspective. Due to budgetary constraints and a disconnect between management and sound engineering, the nation has experienced two shuttle tragedies: Challenger and Columbia. This paper attempts to explore the tradeoff and conflict between budget and safety.
Outline
Abstract
Bad Beginnings
Challenger
From Challenger to Columbia
Conclusions
From the Paper "On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 18 miles from its initial launch point at Kennedy Space Center, a mere 73 seconds into its tenth flight. Seen only by launch cameras, intermittent puffs of black smoke escaped the right solid rocket booster (SRB) from .678 until 2.733 seconds into the flight, stopping only to reemerge as a flame another 56 seconds later, and ultimately leading to the destruction of the orbiter. (NASA, 1986) All eight crew members of the Challenger were lost in the explosion and the eight-mile plummet into the Atlantic Ocean."
Abstract This paper explains that two key problems in the education of teachers today are (1) budgetary restraints, universities are encouraging research, which is financed by industry, rather than the preparation of classroom teachers and (2) university professors are not keeping up with the very rapidly expanding knowledge in their fields. The author reviews programs to encourage current classroom teachers to improve their teaching skills. The paper examines the use of mentoring systems and merit pay to attract and to encourage the retention of high-ability women and men to teaching.
Table of Contents
Are Universities Not Interested in Producing Enough Teachers?
Quality of Teachers as They are
Rapid Shifts of Teachers at Lower Levels
Is Mentoring Good to Retain Teachers?
Or, is it Money?
Men vs. Women
Teaching Methods
From the Paper "The final point that one has to talk about the present views on teaching itself and its requirements in today's world and how it has changed over time. This has been determined by some observers through identification by seeing the classes which are reputed to be of high quality and thus identifying the important factors. It has been seen that students have to be involved in important ideas and concepts, and that is even for science and mathematics. The mode of teaching strategy was not very relevant, but what mattered was the interest of the student in the matter that was being taught. This is generally increased through demonstrations and investigation. There has to be some collaboration among the students and that increases investigation among them. The total contents of the course have to be maintained in a very strict manner and the students given to understand that this is only a small part of a much wider body of knowledge."
Tags: interest, university, innovations, budgetary, men
Abstract This paper examines the article "Grim Budget Brings Deep Cuts" where the author, Lloyd Dunkelberger, decries the slashing of public positions in the criminal justice system in Florida. The paper explains that these budgetary cuts are instead of higher taxation, which the paper contends, caters more directly to political motives than real economic rationality. The paper suggests that a more sensible recommendation would be to actually raise the state's budget through a progressive tax which targets the incomes of Florida's wealthiest corporations and citizens as a means of returning revenue to the state and ultimately, stimulating the economy.
From the Paper "The American economy has chugged into an official state of regression which can be seen with little possible doubt in the sharp decline of individual state revenues. An example of distressing clarity comes to us from an article produced in April of 2008 in which Lloyd Dunkelberger reported on the massive budget cuts which had been written into Florida's budget for the upcoming year. Published in the Gainesville Sun, the article's central purpose is to report that the state's 2008-2009 budget, totaling at $66 billion, is a significant and problematic reduction of the state's overall annual resource allotment and that this will mean losses in important areas of public interest. Along with education, environmental protection and other key public areas of service, the state's criminal justice system will undergo widespread cuts in resource availability that will result in the elimination of jobs and the undermining of the state's criminal justice demands."
Abstract This paper examines the functioning of the federal budget process and explores the barriers involved. The paper explains that federal budgeting can also be split up into its basic standards of activity and measurement. The expenditure process involves three different stages of budget authorization, obligation, and outlays. The paper discusses the various parties involved in decision-making regarding the federal budget from Congress to the president. The laws pertinent to the federal budget process are presented in the paper. The paper contends that the federal budgetary procedure is required to endorse specific and apparent information on budgetary alternatives, to provide the lawmakers with a structure for arriving at agreeable conclusions on expenditure and receipt strategies, and to facilitate those policies to be implemented.
From the Paper "As is with any complicated strategy, the federal budgeting can also be split up into its basic standards of activity and measurement. The expenditure process involves three different stages of budget authorization, obligation and outlays. The Budget authority is bestowed by the Congress and President within the legal framework. It generates the legal base for federal units to make the financial responsibilities enforceable in terms of the obligations. The activities of the federal agencies in form of executing contracts, appointment of personnel and executing orders for goods and services give rise to generation of such obligations. The outlays follow when the obligations are settled down. The outlays are normally in shape of the checks, electronic fund transfers and other payments effected to by the Treasury Branch. The budget authorities mostly are provided to the agencies every year being excerpted from the legislations made during the previous Congresses. The funds are provided without the legislation by the Congress. (Keith, 1996)"
Abstract This paper explores how an effective information system can be devised for a fictitious called Northern Shingles, Inc. so that budgetary over-runs in their 'off-season can be minimized. The author suggests a centralized database so that all information relating to budgetary information and expenditures is readily accessible to Senior Management. The paper relates that such a database also can lead to greater accountability for senior management in charge of various departments.
From the Paper "Information technology is the life-blood of any organization. Without the appropriate information finding its way quickly into the appropriate hands, an organization risks being out-stripped by its competitors. An effective management information system must present information clearly and in a manner that allows managers easy access to relevant, additional information; it must draw together all company information; and it must account for different learning styles. This paper presents a schematic design of a management information system that takes all of these issues into account so that Northern Shingles can effectively address its seasonal fluctuations."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious concern for many hospitals. The writer points out that not only are morbidity and mortality rates due to MRSA infection significant, but longer hospital stays, higher costs of treatment and the specter of treatment failure compared to methicillin-sensitive organisms are all realities that are faced. This paper outlines a proposition to implement a hospital-wide change in the hospital's handwashing policy to that utilizing a chlorhexidine-based foam. Budgetary considerations as well as a strategy for implementation and evaluation of effectiveness on MRSA infections after one year of implementation are discussed.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Current Practice
Proposed Practice
Budgetary Considerations
Concerns Regarding Change
Values and Roles
Conclusion
From the Paper "In order to improve the rate of infection from 10 cases per year to less than one per year, a new practice will be instituted based on the redundancy principle regarding implementation of handwashing procedures. Similarly redundant handwashing facilities (both handwashing stations and foam chlorhexidine gluconate) conveniently located at strategic locations. This solution will include new dispensers at strategic locations with high personnel traffic such as nurses' stations, patient rooms, specific bedside sites (e.g. in intensive care units, labor and delivery bedsides), communal areas for nurses and physicians and outpatient examination rooms. It is expected to be accomplished within 3 months with a reduction in overall and MRSA nosocomial infections after one year."
Tags: health, care, infection, mortality, hospital
Abstract This paper presents the argument that there is no evidence to suggest that running budgetary deficits can adversely impact future prospects of a nation. The paper suggests that more research is required to conclusively decide fiscal policies effectiveness or ineffectiveness due to budget constraints.
From the Paper "Fiscal policy involves the level and structure of taxes and it requires decisions on priorities on public expenditures, such as basic social services, infrastructure, and regulation of economic activity and ownership of productive assets. To carry out its role adequately, fiscal policy should be governed by one self-evident principle: it should be appropriate in the sense of improving 'long term' welfare."
This paper examines how a hypothetical business specializing in matrouchkas can use time series to help balance the business's budget and inventory and the added complexities of working in the import field.
750 words (approx. 3 pages), 3 sources, 2001, $ 26.95
Abstract This paper presents a hypothetical business venture and addresses several business management schemes which could help make it succeed. The writer first states the problem, presents research methodology, analyzes the methodology and finally presents results and recommendations.
From the paper:
"Many businesses use time series methods as a way of helping to balance budgetary and inventory needs. This paper examines how a hypothetical business specializing in matrouchkas (which are Russian stack dolls, which range in retail price from about 15 dollars for simply painted double or triple dolls for thousands of dollars for the most elaborately painted dolls that cost upwards of $10,000) business can use time series to help balance the business's budget and inventory and the added complexities of working in the import field (which is always complicated, but especially so in this field in which the changing politically situation has forced constant adjustments by American companies working with Russia firms)."
Tags: company, opportunities, costs, future, capital, tools, variable, definitions, information
Federal budget process applied to EPA. Proposed 1997 budget, focusing on need for & cost of toxic site cleanup, liability, remediation decisions, impact of budgetary constraints.
2,925 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 10 sources, 1996, $ 103.95
From the Paper "This research analyzes the federal budget process as that process applies to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The findings of this analysis are presented within the contexts of (1) functional identification, (2) the proposed budget for the 1997 fiscal year, (3) change in budget and budget debate issues, and (4) budgetary implications.
Functional Identification
The EPA is charged with implementing federal environmental protection laws, and the agency is charged with monitoring activity and enforcing compliance with those laws. National polls consistently reflect strong and widespread support for the environment...."
