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Project Objectives (project + objective)
Selected AbstractsPractical assessment of project performance: the ,potential impact' approach,PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2000Michael Hubbard This article sets out an approach to assessing project performance, using ,potential impact' of the project. Its purpose is to assist project design and evaluation. In project design, potential impacts of alternative activities on the project objective are compared, in order to select activities with the greatest impact. In project evaluation, potential and actual impacts of a project are compared. Additional benefits of the approach are that it indicates ,value for money' of development assistance invested in projects, and easier tracing of reasons for underachievement in projects to weaknesses in their design or management. Limitations are that it relies on informed judgement of the planners or evaluators and the categories for rating performance may unavoidably be broad. It complements the logical framework approach by providing a practical design and evaluation tool. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] From renewable energy to fire risk reduction: a synthesis of biomass harvesting and utilization case studies in US forestsGCB BIOENERGY, Issue 3 2009A. M. EVANS Abstract The volatile costs of fossil fuels, concerns about the associated greenhouse gas emissions from these fuels, and the threat of catastrophic wildfires in western North America have resulted in increased interest and activity in the removal and use of woody biomass from forests. However, significant economic and logistical challenges lie between the forests and the consumers of woody biomass. In this study, we provide a current snapshot of how biomass is being removed from forests and used across the United States to demonstrate the wide variety of successful strategies, funding sources, harvesting operations, utilization outlets, and silvicultural prescriptions. Through an analysis of 45 case studies, we identified three themes that consistently frame each biomass removal and utilization operation: management objectives, ecology, and economics. The variety and combination of project objectives exemplified by the case studies means biomass removals are complex and difficult to categorize for analysis. However, the combination of objectives allows projects to take advantage of unique opportunities such as multiple funding sources and multiparty collaboration. The case studies also provide insight into the importance of ecological considerations in biomass removal both because of the opportunity for forest restoration and the risk of site degradation. The national view of the economic aspects of biomass removal provided by this wide variety of case studies includes price and cost ranges. This study is an important first step that helps define woody biomass removals which are becoming an essential part of forestry in the 21st century. [source] Evaluation of effluent toxicity as an indicator of aquatic life condition in effluent-dominated streams: A pilot studyINTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2008Jerry Diamond Abstract The types and quality of data needed to determine relationships between chronic whole effluent toxicity (WET) test results and in-stream biological condition were evaluated using information collected over a 1.5-y period from 6 different sites across the United States. A data-quality-objectives approach was used that included several proposed measurement quality objectives (MQOs) that specified desired precision, bias, and sensitivity of methods used. The 6 facilities used in this study (4 eastern and 2 western United States) all had design effluent concentrations >60% of the stream flow. In addition to at least quarterly chronic Ceriodaphnia dubia, Pimephales promelas (fathead minnow), and Selenastrum capricornutum (green algae) WET tests, other tests were conducted to address MQOs, including splits, duplicates, and blind positive and negative controls. Macroinvertebrate, fish, and periphyton bioassessments were conducted at multiple locations upstream and downstream of each facility. The test acceptance criteria of the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) were met for most WET tests; however, this study demonstrated the need to incorporate other MQOs (minimum and maximum percent significant difference and performance on blind samples) to ensure accurate interpretation of effluent toxicity. More false positives, higher toxicity, and more "failed" (noncompliant) tests were observed using no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) as compared to the IC25 endpoint (concentration causing ,25% decrease in organism response compared to controls). Algae tests often indicated the most effluent toxicity in this study; however, this test was most susceptible to false positives and high interlaboratory variability. Overall, WET test results exhibited few relationships with bioassessment results even when accounting for actual effluent dilution. In general, neither frequency of WET noncompliance nor magnitude of toxicity in tests were significantly related to differences in biological condition upstream and downstream of a discharge. Periphyton assessments were most able to discriminate small changes downstream of the effluent, followed by macroinvertebrates and fish. Although sampling methods were robust, more replicate samples collected upstream and downstream of each facility were needed to increase detection power. In general, macroinvertebrate and periphyton assessments together appeared to be sufficient to address project objectives. [source] The power of objectives: Moving beyond learning objectivesPERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT, Issue 6 2010Jack J. Phillips PhD Although the need for project objectives is obvious, their value and role are much broader than most think. In this article, we explore the need for higher levels of objectives, along with tips and techniques to develop them properly. More important, we examine the benefits of objectives from many perspectives. In today's competitive environment, most performance improvement projects and programs should have application and impact objectives. [source] Are we getting any better?PROJECT MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Comparing project management in the years 2000 Abstract This paper presents a study on the progress of project management. Descriptions of projects from 2000 and 2008 are studied. The study concludes that the field of project management is moving ahead. Project team members are more knowledgeable about project work, project objectives are more clearly expressed, project organization is more appropriate, most work processes are improved, and team members experience project work as rewarding and are more motivated for future projects. However, the project results are not fully satisfactory. It is shown that stakeholders' satisfaction could be improved by better decision processes, better management and leadership, and closer cooperation with the stakeholders. [source] Radical innovation in a small firm: a hybrid electric vehicle development project at Volvo CarsR & D MANAGEMENT, Issue 4 2010Hans Pohl The potential paradigmatic shift in technology from the internal combustion engine to electric propulsion via hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) has been addressed by most automakers, and has produced very different outcomes. This paper uses the framework of core capabilities to discuss how the small automaker, Volvo Cars, made substantial progress in its HEV development using an approach based on limited resources and a low risk. A comparison with Toyota's successful but very resource-demanding Prius project reveals some factors contributing towards rapid development in a context of limited resources, including focused project objectives, tight collaboration with suppliers of the new technologies, reuse of existing technologies and an unaggressive, bottom-up approach to change the firm's values and norms and other core capability dimensions. This paper provides an empirical illustration of how a small company in a mature industry worked with radical innovation in a development project drawing on the combination of organizational slack, entrepreneurial employees and an extensive use of external (knowledge) suppliers. [source] Beyond Profiling: Using ADMET Models to Guide DecisionsCHEMISTRY & BIODIVERSITY, Issue 11 2009Matthew Segall Abstract ADMET Models, whether in silico or in vitro, are commonly used to ,profile' molecules, to identify potential liabilities or filter out molecules expected to have undesirable properties. While useful, this is the most basic application of such models. Here, we will show how models may be used to go ,beyond profiling' to guide key decisions in drug discovery. For example, selection of chemical series to focus resources with confidence or design of improved molecules targeting structural modifications to improve key properties. To prioritise molecules and chemical series, the success criteria for properties and their relative importance to a project's objective must be defined. Data from models (experimental or predicted) may then be used to assess each molecule's balance of properties against those requirements. However, to make decisions with confidence, the uncertainties in all of the data must also be considered. In silico models encode information regarding the relationship between molecular structure and properties. This is used to predict the property value of a novel molecule. However, further interpretation can yield information on the contributions of different groups in a molecule to the property and the sensitivity of the property to structural changes. Visualising this information can guide the redesign process. In this article, we describe methods to achieve these goals and drive drug-discovery decisions and illustrate the results with practical examples. [source] Poverty reduction by improving health and social services in VietnamNURSING & HEALTH SCIENCES, Issue 4 2007Lan. Gien rn Abstract This article describes the development and implementation of a five-year plan for the reduction of poverty and the enhancement of human development through improving public health and social services in rural Vietnam. This plan was achieved by training the trainers and building capacity for the social workers. The project was a collaborative effort between the Schools of Nursing and Social Work at Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the University of Labor and Social Affairs, Hanoi, Vietnam. The collaboration was also committed to improving the quality of social work education and training in Vietnam. All the project's objectives were achieved beyond original expectations. The actual outcomes are sustainable and in addition gender equality has been a cross-cutting theme. [source] | ||||||||||