CIPS Practitioner Corporate Award Assignment Example

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CIPS practitioner corporate award marks the first step to attainment of full membership of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply. The award is equivalent to CIPS level 4 and eligible to public sector employees engaged with procurement at operational level.

The assignment submission involves writing an integrative assignment of 5000words based on your organization. Students are required to use demonstrate working knowledge, research and synthesis of four core modules that include: managing contracts relationship, negotiation and contracting, sourcing essentials in procurement and supply and business needs in procurement.

This assessment tests the learning outcomes and module content of the following Modules:

Driving value through procurement and supply
Managing expenditures
Developing contracts
Sourcing essentials
Negotiation in procurement and supply

Practitioner Corporate Award Assignment Example

Negotiating and contracting assignment example

Task

Select a category of spend from your organisation. Develop and discuss a plan using the knowledge gained from this programme which could form the basis of a formal commercial negotiation. Your assignment should include an explanation of the key facts, data and approaches that you will use in the negotiation.

Remember, the negotiation does not have to be just about price. Other considerations could include quality, delivery schedules, timing and amendments/variations etc.

Practitioner corporate award assignment: negotiation and contracting assignment solution example

Executive Summary

Procurement is a process that encompasses selection of vendors, establishing terms of payment, strategic vetting contract negotiation, and actual purchase of products. It deals with acquiring what is essential for the organization; procurement is therefore part of every firm. Concepts of procurement have been applied in supply and procurement negotiations at Sidra Hospital. It is vital to understand the background of the supplier and carry out evaluation of stakeholder as done in this paper. Mendelow’s matrix, PESTLE, SWOT and Porter’s five forces are all important and therefore they should be put into consideration in supply and procurement negotiations because they provide insights during negotiation.

One ultimate procurement goal is to align procurement function with the corporate strategy. The aim of procurement is to successfully enable an organization to purchase products and services. It is therefore paramount to follow correct procedures and incorporate the right stakeholders so as to enable a successful negotiation.

Introduction

In current procurement practice tactical opportunities and opportunism for short-term financial planning are more commonplace than most dare to acknowledge (Hoezen, 2012). Many projects exhibit minimal input to defining their needs and translating these to functional requirements. They rather haste to move on to latter stages of the building process based on a seemingly transparent image of the costs and time line of the project. Inspired by transaction costs economics (Williamson, 1998), procurement processes are still considered as predominantly legalprocesses that are required before starting a project. This is often translated by the actors into a process in which the legal terms prevail over the social process of deciding on the right firm to establish a collaborative relation or the best proposal for constructing infrastructure (Volker, 2010).

Nevertheless, both the legal and social aspects of collaboration are critical for project success. In order to be able to trust each other it is critical for supplying contractors to understand the client’s initial motivation to invest time and money in design, and for clients to understand the contractor (Cuff, 1996). In other words, both parties need to make sense of each other to cross organizational borders (Pemsel&Widén, 2011) because once they start collaborating formal and informal communication mechanisms will develop (de Blois,
Herazo-Cueto, Latunova, &Lizarralde, 2011). Hence it is argued that developing trust, a common language and an understanding of all parties’ requirements should be critical in the procurement phase, to ensure maximum disclosure and allow for the identification of areas of deficiency within the team as a whole (Brown, 2001). Especially in case of integrated contracts in which several phases of the construction process are included in the deal, parties are condemned to collaborate for an extensive period of time. It is thus imperative that partners are able to develop a shared aim of the project before this relationship is made official in a legal document. Front-end project management thus becomes crucial for project success (Morris, 2009).

Purpose of the Research

This research aims at carrying out procurement of IVF Embroyscope product for Sidra Hospital in Qatar. The research aims at meeting the purpose of procurement, that is, to help Sidra Hospital to select a vendor, negotiate contract and purchase IVF Embroyscope product. In addition, this research seeks to investigate some of the factors that affect supply and procurement negotiation and what should be considered before coming up with a procurement strategy. Therefore, this research provides process and procedures that should be followed throughout the process of supply and procurement negotiation.

Sense-making as a Basis for Project Success

According to Ring and van de Ven (1994), organizations focus on bargaining (formal processes) and sense-making (informal processes) during negotiations. By negotiation parties develop joint expectations about their motivations, possible investments and perceived uncertainties. To a certain extent they also get to know and understand each other. By information confinement, by turning tacit knowledge into words and schemas, by sharing knowledge, assumptions and mental models, and by reducing the impact of biases, parties grow and create meaning of the transaction, the context of the transaction, and the value of it to the other party and to oneself. This is confirmed by research of Vlaar, Van den Bosch, and Volberda (2006), who found that whilst parties try to come to a consensus about contract terms, their attention gets focused, they are forced to articulate, deliberate and reflect on their individual ideas, they interact and they reduce biases, judgment errors, incompleteness and inconsistency. Vlaar et al. (2006) also state that the identified mechanisms in the bargaining processes help in making sense of the inter-organizational relationship and of its context. Organizationalsense-making is a social process during which members of an organization interpret their environment in and through interactions with others, thus constructing observations that allow them to comprehend the world and to act collectively (e.g. Isabella, 1990; Weick, 1995).

Organization’s Background and Selected Product Information

Sidra Medicine is a high-tech facility that provides a world-class care; this is a medical facility that helps in building scientific expertise and resources of Qatar. The hospital facility has clearly stated vision and mission statements: Basically, it is not only an advancing healthcare in Qatar but also it is an advancing healthcare in the entire world. The vision of Sidra Medicine is to be a beacon of exceptional care, learning and discovery and to be a top academic medical center around the world. The mission of the hospital is to provide women and children with the best healthcare services in an ultra-modern innovative facility that has been objectively designed to promote healing. The Hospital facility collaborates with leading research institutions and academic partners as well as the health sector of Qatar in training students and staff. The targeted product for procurement is the Time-lapse incubator for IVF equipment. The “five rights” include considering patient situation; collection of cues; information processing; problem identification; establishing of goals; taking actions; outcome evaluation and reflection on process.

Embroyscope is a high-tech device used during incubation period in IVF laboratory between fertilization and implantation period. Through this high-tech device, the infertility specialists are able to monitor the process through which fertilized eggs operate throughout without moving them away from the incubator. With this technology the risk of anything going wring is minimized to a great extent and doctors and patients are very informed on the process of embryo development (Freour et al., 2012). It is a process and technology that can improve the chance of some patients to carry a pregnancy term.

Stakeholder Evaluations

Sidra Hospital is a private hospital and some of its major stakeholders include senior management; managers and staff. Stakeholders must be engaged in any negotiation because this enables them to have an idea of what the negotiation is all about and make contributions on the way to take. The feedback from stakeholders is a valuable source of information that can be employed in improving the design of the project and the outcomes, and help Sidra Hospital to identify and consequently control external risks. Stakeholder engagement ensures that changes are communicated and understood and potential problems are addressed.

Successful negotiations in procurement are founded on a delicate balance to protect information of the stakeholder while gathering sufficient information and intelligence on positions and priorities of vendors. One guiding factor in negotiations is the objective of the stakeholder. The presence of stakeholders improves negotiations with vendors because their objectives give the procurement manager a basis of negotiation; stakeholders simply clarify what is desirable and what is essential and this is the basis of negotiation.

Background of Key Stakeholder

Stakeholder background helps in determine the type of the stakeholder that should be expected in the negation. Customers form a key stakeholder in Sidra Hospital because they influence the decisions made. The management must consider customers before coming up with any decision that involves them because these are the main clients of the hospital. The stakeholder (customer) need better services hence the need of IVF Embroyscope product. The key stakeholder for Sidra Hospital is mainly the people of Qatar most especially those who stay in Doha.

Background of the Supplier

The supplier of IVF Embroyscope product is Vetrolife. Although there is high competition, Vetrolife is the leading manufacturing company and a leading innovator of equipment of high quality such as ART workstations, long –term embryo incubators; time-lapse incubator and many other medical equipment and advanced technologies that meet the ever bulging demand of IVF industry.

Preparation for negotiation with research and contracts

Before engaging in negotiations, the involved parties must understand and prepare so as to meet their targeted goals. A good negotiation plan is bred from a good strategy. Preparation for negation should be thoroughly be done and the preparation process should begin even before meeting the vendor. Some of pre-negotiation steps that should be done before meeting the vendor include gathering the relevant internal data and analyzing it; looking at plans in the future; defining the outcome desired for the negotiations and understanding the objectives of the other party. After preparing thoroughly, the second step is to set and define goals because they form an important element of a successful negotiation. Tactics and strategy are determined by defined goals. The negotiator should then define their BATNA and then understand the way software vendor works. The whole preparation process demands the negotiator to determine when to negotiate, know what to negotiate and put everything down in writing.

Negotiations entail agreements and disagreements and sufficient preparations must be done so as to lead to a constructive negotiation. Negotiations are known to either boost all parties or boost one party and weaken another party. It is therefore important to consider a number of elements before engaging in a negotiation.
Negotiation preparation should start by determining the goals, that is what the negotiation seeks to achieve and the expectations of the other party as well. Preparations should also consider what is going to be traded. In this case the trade product is IVF Embroyscope; and it is imperative to determine what each of the parties is willing to compromise so as to reach a successful negotiation agreement.

Preparations for negotiation also necessitate parties to have alternatives to what they aim to achieve in the event that negotiation agreement fails. The supplier should be careful with this because it matters to the business and can positively or negatively impact the business. Alternatives will ensure the continuity of business without being harmed. Also, a good negotiation will consider existing relationship between the parties involved. In this case the relationship between Vetrolife and Sidra might shape their negotiation process. The main relationship aspect that has impact on the process of negotiation is how long the two parties have been in contact with each other. Relationship will help Sidra Hospital determine whether in the past there were hidden policies that might have adversely impacted further negotiation.

In a nutshell, preparation for negotiation should involve anything that has a capability of shaping the negotiation process. There should be sufficient preparation for negotiation so as to achieve a successful negotiation that meets goals and objectives of the two parties.

SWOT Analysis

Strength

Sidra Medicine Hospital draws its strengths from its state-of-the-art technology. The hospital has activated the interventional MRI Surgery Suite which has created a step change in the role played by Interventional Radiology in successful patient outcomes. The hospital has also launched paediatric surgery programs and it has as well signed an agreement with Assistive Technology Center so as to better its healthcare services (Chehab, Selim&Itani, 2018).This is a digital facility that has incorporated applications of most advanced technology.

Another strength of Sidra Medicine Hospital is its special expertise in various aspects of healthcare needs. There are various experts in different departments who have basically majored in particular areas of healthcare. For instance, the hospital has practitioners who specifically handle women and children’s healthcare needs.
Sidra Medicine is basically a new innovative service. This is not only a medical center but also a research Center, meaning that it is a groundbreaking hospital and an institution of research and education. This means that the hospital institution helps in building scientific expertise in Qatar and in the entire world.

The hospital has goodwill from leaders and the general public. It is an upcoming brand that is growing very first. It has a positive reputation especially on how its extraordinary nurses handle patients’ health care needs. The hospital is located in Doha, this is a superior location that gives it geographic advantage.

Weakness & opportunities

As much as the hospital has strengths that place it on a competitive side, it has its weaknesses as well. In this regard, the hospital needs improvement in these areas. Firstly, it lacks a clear marketing plan. Secondly, the hospital has been newly established and therefore it has gaps in its capabilities more especially in its service areas. Thirdly, management problem has been cited by some of its employees as one fact that derails services offered at the hospital facility. To some extent, there are undifferentiated service lanes (de Jong & Benton, 2019).
Sidra Medicine Hospital has a number of opportunities from which it can draw advantages.

Some of these opportunities include the availability of new technology; changes in population profile; new niche markets; there is no dominant competition; and political good will.

Threats

Threats for Sidra Medicine Hospital include competition from other healthcare providers who have built brand and established themselves over years. These competitors have superior access to distribution channels (Chehab, Selim & Itani, 2018). There are also economic shifts as well as change of contracts for major area employers.

PESTLE Analysis

A business is an entity that is vulnerable because due to the impacts from external forces. External forces such as technological, political, legal, socio-cultural among other forces have procurement ramifications from negotiation for the price to trade and management of the supplier.

The economic environment majorly affects how procurement operations are carried out by the buyers. Fluctuation of currency is the main challenge in the financial environment and so the buyer (Sirda Hospital) has to buy the product at the right time so that return on investment can be huge. Investing at the wrong time is tantamount to losing money.

Political change or policy change has an influence on who buys IVF Embroyscope product. Changes in policy and government at a domestic level can see reforms in regulation and changes in business support packages. This impacts how Vetrolife structure its supply chain for IVF Embroyscope product. In this regard, Vetrolife will base on political events in procurement negotiations so as to get rid of risks or minimize risks.

There is a constant change of technological landscape which has made customers to expect faster operation of businesses. Customers are also more connected because of the current and constant change of technological landscape because it offers them latest advancements. It is therefore important for the supplier of IVF Embroyscope product to keep on top of the changes in technological sector and the impacts of technology on their product and services. Technology plays a very important role in procurement because it determines negotiations and the way in which the buyer associates with the supplier. Basically, the buyer will consider the technological aspect of IVF Embroyscope product and this will determine the buyers’ interest on the product. IVF Embroyscope product that has embraced modern technology will actually change how the buyer will make bids for the product.
Customer behavior and expectations are also shaped by cultural and social factors. Vetrolife products like IVF Embroyscope should therefore not ignore external socio cultural factors because it might risk their business.

Furthermore, supply chain is greatly affected by environmental fluctuations. Environmental fluctuations can result to the scarcity or availability of the product on the market. The scarcity or availability of the product shapes negotiations and logically, when the product is readily available its bid will be somehow lower than when it is scarce.

In conclusion, PESTLE analysis helps negotiators to make decisions about the product by evaluating pros and cons of the product. The buyer, Sidra Hospital will look at some of the pros and cons of IVF Embroyscope product and this will give them a basis over which they can build their argument during negotiation.

Porter’s Five Forces

The following is a five forces analysis of IVF Embroyscope.

Threat to New entrants who can be competitors is of a medium pressure. Entry barriers to production and supply of IVF Embroyscope products are relatively low. However, there are many other suppliers of similar products. An example of such a supplier is Esco Medical.
Threat of substitute products ranges from medium to high. There are many suppliers of IVF Embroyscope product other than Vetrolife. IVF Embroyscope product from Vetrolife is not different from those offered by other suppliers. There are other technologies that can be embraced and used in place of IVF Embroyscope product.
Bargaining power of buyers is of IVF Embroyscope product is of high pressure. There is pressure on Sidra Vetrolife from an individual buyer or organization.
Bargaining power of suppliers has a low pressure and finally rivalry among the existing suppliers is of high pressure. The main competitor of Vetrolife is Esco Medical and many other suppliers of medical equipment (Chehab, Selim&Itani, 2018).

Power

Power is determined by negotiators. There are three sources of negotiation power, these are a strong BATNA, role power and psychological power. The best source of bargaining power is the BATNA. For this reason Sidra Hospital must cultivate a strong outside alternative so that it can get the needed power of walking out of the nasty or unappealing business deal. For instance, Sidra Hospital has the ability of improving its negotiation power with the supplier of IVF Embroyscope (Vetrolife) product by finding another supplier of IVF Embroyscope product which it just likes as much. Also the supplier of IVF Embroyscope product can hold much power as well by looking for other buyers who can buy their products. But it is clear that the customer is the one who holds more power because he/she has ability of finding similar product from elsewhere.

Apart from BATNA power, power can come from the role played by the negotiators. For instance, Sidra Hospital holds a powerful brand and reputation. When negotiating with the suppliers of IVF Embroyscope product i.e. Vetrolife, Vetrolife may cede to the preferences of Sidra Hospital because of its brand.

Costs

The final price of IVF Embroyscope product is determined by the negotiation between Vetrolife and Sidra Hospital. An effective negotiation requires Sidra Hospital and the suppliers of IVF Embroyscope product must have a reservation cost and target cost. The best possible outcome for either of the parties is the target cost. Vetrolife may be willing to sell IVF Embroyscope product at a certain cost but the Sidra Hospital might prefer to buy it at a slightly lower cost. This shows two different conflicting costs that determine the basis of negotiation for IVF Embroyscope product between its supplier and Sidra Hospital.

Price

The price of IVF Embroyscope product, just like costs involved will determine whether the deal will be successful or not. The final price of the product will either win Sidra Hospital to go for a deal or will derail it. In this case, both Sidra Hospital and Vetrolife who is the supplier are seeking advantage. Therefore their negotiation can base on a win-win situation and both parties must accommodate each other. Vetrolife may offer a perk like a no cost extended warranty so as to increase value of IVF Embroyscope product for Sidra Hospital. Thus, Sidra Hospital may accept higher price for IVF Embroyscope product. The final price can move to the target of the seller or the buyer through negotiation and this entirely depends on the flexibility of both Sidra Hospital and Vetrolife on the final price of IVF Embroyscope product.

Culture

Sidra hospital has a segmented culture. By profession, there are medicine services, nursing services, and other services. There is also intra-professionalism within each and every discipline, for instance there is surgery, nursing-ICU and attending patients. The executive level has also been divided into Director of Medical Services, Nursing Director, Director of Surgical Services and so forth.

Corruption perception index

Generally as per 2018, Qatar scored 62/100 points on the corruption perception index according to Transparency International. The average of Corruption index in Qatar has been 64.56 since the year 2003 to 2018. The lowest ever scored corruption index by Qatar is 52 points in 2004 and the highest was 77 points (Chehab, Selim, &Itani, 2018). However, there is no corruption perception index that has been done for Sidra Hospital.

Market Structure

Oligopoly

Oligopoly refers to a market structure with a small number of firms, usually two or more, in this case, oligopoly refers to a small number of suppliers of IVF Embroyscope products. There are many suppliers of IVF Embroyscope product in many countries but such suppliers may not readily be existing in Qatar. In this regard it is evident that IVF Embroyscope product suppliers are operating in an oligopolic market. Oligopoly market structure has recognizable impact on negotiation of IVF Embroyscope product. For instance, the supplier of this product may be ready to lose a buyer like Sidra Hospital because the buyer may easily seek the product elsewhere. Therefore, the supplier may willingly accommodate the price for the product as bid by the buyer.

Monopoly

Monopoly refers to a market structure with one firm. In this case, monopoly refers to a single supplier of IVF Embroyscope product. Monopolistic power has a great influence on negotiation because the supplier has a total influence on the price of the product. A monopolistic market means that the buyer, Sidra Hospital has nowhere else to purchase IVF Embroyscope product and therefore the bargaining power of Sidra Hospital can be so low in a monopolistic market.

Duopoly

Duopoly refers to a market structure with two firms. This is a non-existent market structure for IVF Embroyscope product because there are more than two suppliers of this product. Duopolistic market structure, just like monopolistic and oligopolistic market structures, it has impacts on negotiation. A duopolistic market structure can easily be manipulated such that the prices offered by one supplier are similar to the prices offered by another supplier for the same IVF Embroyscope product. In this regard, Sidra Hospital has a little negotiation power more so when the two suppliers have influence over each other regarding the prices of IVF Embroyscope product.

Financial checks

Financial checks asses the responsibility of an organization by looking at how the organization manages money in its day to day operations. Financial checks also form an important aspect of negotiation because it helps to inform whether the buyer of the product has the ability of purchasing the product. For instance, the negotiation for IVF Embroyscope product is also determined by its financial checks, that is how it spends its money on a daily basis. So the negotiation of Sidra Hospital will in a way rely on its financial checks so as not to exceed a certain price for IVF Embroyscope product.

Benchmarking

Sidra Medicine Hospital has adopted both internal and external benchmarking (Afridi, 2018). External benchmarking results to the exchange of best practices within the hospital facility and it helps in examining the performance over time; by examining performance over time it ensures that the hospital performance does not slip. Sidra Hospital also uses external benchmarking partially so as to lead to further process efficiencies and greater satisfaction of patients.

Main Approaches

Supplier spectrum

The supplier is Vetrolife; Vetrolife is a leading manufacturing company and a leading innovator of equipment of high quality such as ART workstations, long –term embryo incubators; time-lapse incubator and many other medical equipment and advanced technologies that meet the ever bulging demand of IVF industry. There are however many suppliers of IVF Embroyscope product in many countries from which Sidra Hospital can source. The supplier spectrum for this product is therefore wide and open

Negotiation contrium

A model for consortium budgeting used by Sidra Hospital is sharing the burden. Sidra Hospital is operating in a climate where there are recurrent budgetary constraints in health libraries. Therefore, it is somehow difficult to maintain services adequately to clinicians who should access quality information (Chehab, Selim, &Itani, 2018).To handle this scenario, Sidra Hospital came up with consortia of purchasing a wide range of resources of information ranging from books to software for online catalogue.

Negotiation Key elements

Agenda

Negotiation agenda refers to list of goals that have been agreed upon to be achieved; these goals are then discussed following some order in a meeting. San agenda can either be formal or informal and it can as well be subtle in negotiations (Kuzmin&Khilukha, 2016). The negotiation meeting can be controlled by the negotiation agenda.

Objectives and targets

Before entering into negotiation the staff should enter negotiation with objectives that are defined clearly. There is a high possibility of conceding on price service or quality when the negotiation staff lacks clear set objectives. The person or staff negotiating should enter negotiation discussion with the vendor with clear and precise company objectives. There should be some flexibility in objectives, they should not be absolute (Kuzmin & Khilukha, 2016). Finally, the negotiators should not deviate from the subject matter and negotiate on irrelevant areas.

BATNA

This simply refers to best alternative to a negotiated agreement (Kuzmin & Khilukha, 2016). This is usually a recommended thing to do whenever the other negotiating party refuses to negotiate. This simply refers to the best thing I can do without the other negotiating party as a negotiator. BATNA is the source of negotiation power. If there are other products that the buyer like Sidra Hospital can go for, then Sidra will have much negotiation power for the product as compared to the suppler of the product.

MIL

MIL means must haves, intended to have, like to have. This categorizes all points that are not agreed upon and then make a decision on the importance. In this case, Sidra Hospital must have IVF Embroyscope product and it has the intention of having the product and so it would like to have this product. The urge of having IVF Embroyscope product might therefore mean that Sidra Hospital must purchase the product no matter the route with which negotiations might take.

ZOPA

This simply means zone of possible agreement or just a range of bargaining (Kuzmin & Khilukha, 2016). ZOPA exists if the agreement has a potentiality of benefiting both negotiating parties is high as compared to benefits that will be realized from the alternative options. A successful negotiation outcome requires ZOPA critically. In a nutshell, ZOPA ensures that all the negotiating parties are satisfied with negotiations. ZOPA determines the final price of the IVF Embroyscope product and therefore establishes the negotiation process. For example, the supplier may be willing to sell IVF Embroyscope at $500, 000 and Sidra Hospital might be ready to buy IVF Embroyscope at $450, 000. Therefore ZOPA falls between these two prices between the seller and the buyer.

Bargaining Mix variables

Bargaining mix refers to a number of issues over which negotiations should be done. Every independent item in the bargaining mix has its own starting point, point of target and point of resistance. The reservation point or resistance point is the point in which the negotiator is not willing to settle (Kuzmin&Khilukha, 2016). Variables of the bargaining mix are volume; price, delivery; terms of payment; specification; and the contract period.

Process of negotiation

Opening statement

The opening statement is basically introduction; the negotiator introduces him/her. It is advised that at this time a tone that can set mood for proceeding with negotiation should be used. Parties involved in the negotiation process can be stressful and tense, in this regard, it is important to create a clear, relaxed positive atmosphere that encourages cooperation (Kuzmin&Khilukha, 2016). The opening statement should inform all the parties about the expected respect that will enable them sail through a successful negotiation.

Testing

This simply means the process of trying if different alternatives for negotiation can work. The negotiator puts alternative options on test so as to determine their capability of functioning (Askfors & Fornstedt, 2018). This is one step that determines whether the negotiation process will be successful or not.

Bargaining

This is a stage where the two teams can now sit together and speak out about their objectives and what they need to achieve (Askfors&Fornstedt, 2018). During this phase, the parties under negotiation support their positions after stating them. Also in this phase, substantiation; assertiveness; persuasion; logic and reasoning are all put together and applied in bargaining. Therefore, in bargaining stage all the parties make their deliberations that enable them reach under negotiation and agreement in an amicable way.

Agreement

This is the final stage that marks the end of negotiation process. It is in this stage where the final terms are documented the way both parties agree after which both parties sign. There are still some loose ends that must be tightened up even after intense deliberations and hard bargaining (Kuzmin&Khilukha, 2016). In this regard, there are some further deliberations that should be made so that all the parties can be in agreement with the final documented draft.

Conclusions

Supply and procurement negotiations are determined by a number of factors and forces between the seller, the product and the buyer. The paper has presented and discussed supply and procurement negotiations at Sidra Hospital and what should be basically done so as to achieve a successful negotiation between the two parties. From the discussion, the paper has provided the background of supply and procurement negotiation starting from preparation for negotiation right to reaching to negotiation agreement. PESTLE, SWOT Analysis and Porter’s five forces are all important considerations in procurement negotiation process because they determine the price of the product and whether the buyer will be willing to purchase the product. In summary, the process of procurement requires a thorough analysis of underlying factors so as to successfully achieve the set goals and targets.

Recommendations

A recommendation is made for Sidra Hospital to consider establishing a procurement department that can carry an effective analysis of all underlying procurement factors before finally arriving to the deal.
Also during negotiation process all parties should consider each others goals and objectives. A negotiated deal should be arrived at without hurting another party; it should be a win-win deal such that all the parties feel satisfied ultimately.

Bibliography

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Askfors, Y., &Fornstedt, H. (2018). The clash of managerial and professional logics in public procurement: Implications for innovation in the health-care sector. Scandinavian Journal of Management, 34(1), 78-90.
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de Jong, J. L., & Benton, W. C. (2019). Dependence and power in healthcare equipment supply chains. Health Care Management Science, 22(2), 336-349.
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10 Creative Environmental Science Project Ideas

Environmental Science Project Ideas As an environmental science student, you’re not just earning a degree; you’re stepping into a world of opportunities to make a tangible impact. Your capstone project is your chance to join the ranks of these change-makers. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 most creative environmental capstone project ideas that could set you on the path to becoming an eco-hero.

Ready to make a difference? Here are 10 environmental science capstone project ideas that not only align with environmental sustainability but also have the potential to drive meaningful change in societies.

1. Urban farming solutions

Example Project Title: “Greening the Concrete Jungle: A Community-Based Urban Farming Initiative”
Transform unused urban spaces into thriving gardens. This project could involve community participation, soil testing, and the implementation of sustainable farming techniques.

2. Renewable energy in local communities

Project Title: “Harnessing the Sun: A Feasibility Study on Solar Energy in Small Towns”
Work with local governments to implement renewable energy solutions like solar panels or wind turbines. Assess the feasibility, costs, and community benefits.

3. Waste management innovations

Example Project Title: “Towards Zero Waste: Implementing a Smart Waste Management System in Schools”
Develop a waste management system that focuses on reducing, reusing, and recycling. This could involve creating a community composting program or a smart waste sorting system.

4. Water conservation techniques

Project Title: “Drop by Drop: Implementing Rainwater Harvesting in Urban Areas”
Explore the potential of rainwater harvesting as a sustainable water conservation method. This could involve designing a prototype and testing its efficiency in different settings.

5. Air quality monitoring

Example Project Title: “Breathing Easy: Developing a Low-Cost Air Quality Monitoring System”
Design and implement an air quality monitoring system that can be easily deployed in public spaces. The project could also involve creating an app to disseminate real-time data to the community.

6. Sustainable transportation

Project Title: “On the Move: Promoting Electric Bicycles for Short-Distance Commutes”
Investigate the feasibility of promoting electric bicycles for short-distance commutes. This could involve surveys, cost-benefit analyses, and pilot programs.

7. Eco-friendly building designs

Example Project Title: “Building a Greener Tomorrow: Sustainable Architecture for Public Spaces”
Study the principles of sustainable architecture and apply them to design an eco-friendly public building, such as a community center or a library.

8. Community education on recycling

Project Title: “Recycle Right: A Community Education Program on Effective Recycling”
Create an educational program aimed at improving recycling habits within a community. This could involve workshops, informational pamphlets, and even a small-scale media campaign.

9. Wildlife conservation initiatives

Project Title: “Saving Our Feathers: A Conservation Project for Local Bird Species”
Focus on the conservation of a specific local wildlife species. This could involve habitat restoration, public awareness campaigns, and collaboration with local wildlife organizations.

10. Climate change awareness campaigns

Project Title: “Warming Up to the Truth: A Campus-Wide Climate Change Awareness Campaign”
Design and execute a campaign to raise awareness about climate change. This could involve seminars, social media campaigns, and interactive exhibits to educate the public on the urgency of climate action.

11. Conservation biology initiatives

Project Title: “Saving pollinating insects by reducing the use of pesticides or CFC propellants”

Run an awareness campaign to educate the public on the need to save declining population of pollinating insects. The use of CFC propellants has been linked to reduction of pollinating insects. These insects play a key role in the environment by pollinating flowers to ensure we get fruits.

Tips on How to Develop Environmental Capstone Project Ideas

Environmental science capstone project is done as a culmination of your studies. You will be required to develop a topic that addresses environmental conservation or change initiative. Your project should be a marriage of your skills, interests, and the needs of the community or environment you aim to serve. At Expert Writing Help we have outlined tips that will aid you develop innovative environmental capstone project ideas with ease.

1. Align with your skills and interests

Your project should resonate with your personal interests and leverage your academic skills. Passion fuels perseverance, and you’ll need plenty of both to see your project through to completion.

2. Assess community or environmental needs

Conduct a needs assessment to identify gaps or challenges in your community or the environment at large. Your project should aim to fill these gaps or offer solutions to existing problems.

3. Consult experts and mentors

Before finalizing your project idea, seek advice from professionals in the field. Their insights can help refine your project scope, methodology, and execution plan.

4. Evaluate resources and feasibility

Take stock of the resources you have at your disposal, including time, funding, and equipment. Make sure your project is realistic given these constraints.

5. Conduct preliminary research

Before diving in, conduct some background research to identify similar projects or studies. This will help you understand what has been done before and how you can add unique value.

6. Run a pilot test

If possible, run a small-scale pilot test to validate your project’s feasibility and impact. The results can provide valuable data and insights for the full-scale project.

Your passion, your commitment, and your ingenuity are what will turn these ideas from mere concepts into transformative solutions.

expert writing help

40 Community Health Nursing Research Topics

Community health nursing is one of the most picked nursing specialties mainly for its wide-ranging job opportunities in a variety of healthcare or community settings. A community health nurse can be employed to work in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, correctional facilities, public health departments, county and state departments of health, schools, or occupational health programs among other facilities in the community. Community health nurses may also travel to serve communities in remote locations solo or as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Generally, community health nurses work toward providing successful outcomes for critical circumstances. In providing their duties, community health nurses serve as agents of healthful changes in different communities. This is because of their interaction with underserved communities, these nurses can advocate for better services as well as inform policymakers on the needed reforms in healthcare.

If you are pursuing to become a community health nurse, you must already know how hectic the program is, especially when it comes to completing assignments. Finding a nursing research topic idea is one of the assignments that give community health nursing students sleepless nights. This is because, with the right community health nursing research topic idea, writing the research paper becomes seamless.

What is a Community Health Nursing Research Paper?

A community health nursing research paper focuses on a community health nursing-relevant topic instead of a general nursing-relevant research topic. As such, this nursing research paper tackles the topic from a community health nursing standpoint.

When writing a community health nursing research paper, you must adhere to the laid nursing research paper writing standards. This means that your community health nursing research paper contains all the vital components, it is appropriately formatted and structured and the citations are formatted according to APA style commonly used in nursing papers.

Types of Community Health Nursing Research

There are two types of community health nursing research: qualitative and quantitative research. The difference between these two types of nursing research arises from the research design one intends to use.

Quantitative research in community health nursing

Quantitative research in community health nursing aims at gaining empirical evidence through deduction and generalization. In this case, you will gather evidence to either support or refute a certain theory and decide to what extent the outcome can be generalized to a larger population. Quantitative research can either be experimental or non-experimental in design.

Experimental designs imply the research exercise (experiments) requires strict control from the researcher. This design can be used to establish cause-and-effect relations or predictions. However, the experiments done are often blind to help avoid bias. Experimental designs are categorized as:

True-experimental designs: In these designs, cause-and-effect relationships are examined in a controlled setting. These designs entail studying two groups of the population who got different treatments that we assigned randomly.
Quasi-experimental designs: These designs differ from true experimental designs in that they lack random assignment.

Non-experimental designs focus on describing what happens naturally. These designs are used to detect causes and effects but are not effective for making predictions. Non-experimental designs are categorized as:

Descriptive: Descriptive non-experimental designs are focused on under-researched topics, subjects, or phenomena. In this case, you describe it, examine how often it occurs, and classify the information you have acquired.
Correlational: Correlational research focuses on the examination of relationships between variables. Therefore, you ought to measure the variables, analyze the outcomes, and present statistics.

Qualitative research in community health nursing

Qualitative research in community health nursing focuses on individual experiences and is done through observation and interaction with patients through interviews, diaries, and notes. An induction method is usually used to allow you to acquire evidence to support a theory without generalizing the outcomes. qualitative research design is classified into four types:

Grounded Theory: Grounded theory research entails the influence of social processes on individuals. As such, you will need to interview the individuals themselves, their relatives, spouses, etc. before synthesizing the data into one theory.
Phenomenology: This is a research design that focuses on describing the phenomena as they are experienced by a subject. In this research, you are required to select people who are familiar with the particular health issue. You will then gain information from each individual the make an informed conclusion.
Narrative Inquiry: This is a research study design that is grounded in the interpretation of the personal accounts of the participants. As such, you will ask your subjects to talk about their health experiences and then analyze their narratives. Be sure to take into account the contents and structure of their narratives.
Ethnography: This research design is connected to the influence of a specific health culture on individuals. Therefore, it involves describing the unique attributes of the health culture from an insider’s viewpoint.

With these types of community health nursing research in mind, you can confidently choose your nursing research topic without a hassle. Now, let’s look at how to choose a good community health nursing research topic.

How to Choose a Suitable Topic for Community Health Nursing Research?

To craft w well-articulated and relevant community health nursing research paper, you need to first choose a suitable topic. So, how do you choose the right research topic? Well, here are the steps to choosing the most appropriate research topic for your community health nursing research paper.

Firstly, identify an ideal community health nursing research area you are passionate about
Secondly, from your preferred community health nursing research area, collect enough research ideas
Brainstorm all the gathered research topic ideas and eliminate the topics with less or no research scope
From the research ideas you have shortlisted, pick one community health nursing research topic that you feel comfortable exploring and writing about.
The community health nursing research topic you settle on should satisfy the research paper writing guidelines shared by your lecturer or college.

40 Community Health Nursing Research Topics

Frailty as a deciding factor for nursing home placement-review of literature
The role of nursing in educating women about Intimate Partner Violence and recourse choices in the US
The critical role of nurses in raising awareness and educating patients in a multicultural environment-literature review
Serving in underserved communities-role definitions of community health nurses in the US
Double demanding patients in community health services-nursing perspective
The role and scope of nurses in community health care in the US
A review of the education practices in community health and implications for practicing nurses in the US
Simulation as an interactive tool in community health nursing to improve societal health outcomes – a review
Health and lifestyle advice – a look at nurse scope of responsibility in community health to promote well being
Mental health nursing in the US – an investigation of the personal challenges in pursuing the profession and how these are managed
Psychiatric care by nursing professionals within community settings – review of literature
How are nurses trained to deal with depression in inpatient settings in the US? An investigation
The mental health nurse – scope of responsibilities and challenges faced in outpatient settings
A review of nursing practices and challenges encountered in adolescent and women’s prisons in the US
The position of the family in community health service provision – an exploratory investigation
Reporting and disclosure policies in community health nursing – a literature reviews
Ethics in community health nursing – a review
An assessment of social outcomes based on community health nursing care—how valid are the measurements?
Communication and community health service and care provision – establishing the link and its outcomes
Evidence-based community health nursing-literature review on deviations and complements of the regulatory frameworks and guidelines
Best practice standards in community health care in the US– Review of literature
An investigative perspective on the historical evolution of community-based health care and nursing provision in the US
An investigation of the global progress in standards of community health nursing
Community health nursing – going through the motions or provisions of care and empathy?
An investigation into the outcomes of the use of assessment and education tools by community health nurses in the US
An investigation of the global progress in standards of community health nursing
The role of community support in maintaining emotional health during pregnancy
An analysis of HIV risk practices amongst women of childbearing age
Knowledge and attitude of black pregnant women towards antenatal exercise: A cross-sectional survey
The effects of dietary counseling on gestational weight gain and glucose metabolism in obese pregnant women
The role of school-based interventions in preventing childhood mental health problems
Occupational preferences, cognitive and affective factors in female students in the US: A comparative study
Patient perception and satisfaction with healthcare professionals at primary care facilities
Maternal comprehension of home-based growth charts and its effect on growth
The assessment of the nutritional status of the community; Case study
Socioeconomic differentials in child nutrition and morbidity in remote areas of the US
The predictors of pregnancy-associated change in physical activity in a rural white population
Pre-pregnancy weight and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome
A randomized controlled trial to prevent excessive weight gain in pregnant women
Retention of pregnancy-related weight in the early postpartum period: Implications for women’s health services

How to Write a Winning Community Health Nursing Research Paper?

If you are unsure of how to write a brilliant community health nursing research paper, then this section is a must-read. We have outlined basic steps to help you write a top-grade community health nursing research paper without a hassle.

Now that you have your ideal community health nursing research topic, perform an in-depth analysis of your topic to derive a powerful thesis statement for your research paper.
Secondly, using appropriate nursing research methods, do in-depth research on your chosen topic and collect the most relevant and valuable points, sources, and materials in support of your thesis statement.
With the gathered ideas, sources, and materials, craft a well-structured essay outline including the introduction, body, and conclusion.
With the draft, write a comprehensive community health nursing research paper with adherence to the outline. Be sure to exhaustively explain all the main points relevant to the thesis statement while supporting it with reliable evidence and references.
Once you finish writing your research paper, edit and proofread it. Make sure your nursing research paper is flawless and plagiarism free before submission.

Final Thought

When choosing a community health nursing research topic, you can feel like you have nowhere to start from or even under a lot of pressure. Without a doubt, choosing a community health nursing research topic can prove difficult. However, with good guidance, you can settle on your most interesting and researchable topic.

Hopefully, you will find our list of 40 best community health nursing research topics inspirational and worthy of your consideration when writing your nursing research topic. Besides, if you don’t have the time to research ad write your winning community health nursing research paper by yourself, you can ask us to help with writing nursing paper for you. Our nurse writers are dependable and provide high-quality research paper writing services.

Sampling Theory in Nursing Research

Common Sampling Theory in Nursing Research

Sampling theory in nursing research refers to the principles and approaches used to choose a representative sample of participants from a larger population for a research study. The sampling theory is essential in nursing research since it enables researchers to draw conclusions about a population based on the data collected from a smaller group of people.

Similarly, sampling theory is used in nursing capstones to draw representative samples in a population. In this article, we look at some of the key concepts as well as considerations associated with sampling theory in nursing research and when to use this theory. So, without much ado, let us look at the key concepts for sampling theory in nursing research;

What are the Key Concepts of Sampling Theory in Nursing Research?

Population

In sampling theory or any research done, population refers to the entire group of individuals that the researcher wants to research. For instance, if you intend to focus your study on elderly patients with diabetes, then the population would be all elderly patients with diabetes.

Sample

In nursing research, a sample refers to the subset of the population that is selected for the research. Since it is not feasible or practical to research the entire population, researchers often select a representative sample for purposes of gathering data. The sample should possess similar characteristics to the entire population. A representative sample ensures that the research is free from bias and external validity shortcomings.

Sampling Methods

Sampling methods refer to the various methods used to sample data used in nursing research, and they include probability and non-probability sampling.

Probability Sampling: Probability sampling is a sampling method that involves the random selection of participants from a population while ensuring every individual has the same chance of being included in the sample. Some of the common probability sampling methods include stratified random sampling, simple random sampling, and cluster sampling.

Non-Probability Sampling: The non-probability sampling method does not involve random selection of the sample, which may introduce bias into the sampling. Some of the commonly known non-probability sampling include; convenience sampling – selecting participants based on availability, purposive sampling – selecting participants with specific characteristics), and snowball sampling – selecting participants through referrals.

Sample size

It is crucial to determine the appropriate sample size to ensure that the research findings are statistically significant and generalizable to the population. For sample size calculations, you should consider factors such as expected effect size, desired level of precision, and statistical power.

Representativeness

The sample should be representative of the population to ensure that the findings can be generalized. Researchers need to carefully consider the characteristics and demographics of the population when selecting participants to create a sample that precisely reflects the large population.

Sampling bias

Sampling bias refers to when the sample is not representative of the larger population, thus leading to distortion or an inaccurate representation of the study findings. Therefore, researchers should be conscious of potential sources of bias and take steps to minimize or account for them.

In a nutshell, sampling theory in nursing research is important since it ensures the research findings are valid, reliable, and applicable to the target population. By using suitable sampling methods, nursing researchers can enhance the quality and generalization of their study findings, thus contributing to evidence-based nursing practice.

When to Use Sampling Theory in Nursing Research

In nursing research, sampling theory is used by researchers whenever they want to draw conclusions about larger populations based on data gathered from a smaller sample. Well, what are some of the situations when sampling theory is used in nursing research:

Generalizability

Often, nursing researchers aim to generalize their findings to a larger population. So, by selecting a representative sample as per suitable sampling methods, researchers can make inferences about the entire population. For instance, if research aims to investigate the effectiveness of a nursing intervention for a specific condition, the outcome can be generalized to the broader population of patients with that condition.

Limited resources

Essentially, researching an entire population may be impractical or unfeasible due to limitations like time, cost, or logistics. However, sampling theory allows researchers to choose a smaller, manageable sample that still offers meaningful insights into the research question. As such, researchers can make efficient use of accessible resources and conduct research within realistic constraints.

Ethical considerations

In some situations, it may not be ethically appropriate or feasible to include the entire population in a research study. For instance, research involving vulnerable populations or invasive procedures may require researchers to select a smaller sample to minimize risks and ensure participant safety. Moreover, the sampling theory helps researchers to choose an appropriate sample size and sampling method that balances scientific rigor with ethical considerations.

Statistical analysis

Sampling theory is closely linked to statistical analysis. With the use of suitable sampling methods, researchers can apply statistical tests, and inferential statistics, and calculate confidence intervals to draw valid conclusions for the sample data. Therefore, researchers can quantify the level of confidence in their findings and make statistical inferences about the population parameters.

Research design

Sampling theory is an essential part of research design. Researchers need to consider the target population, research objectives, available resources, and practical constraints when determining the sampling strategy. As such, the choice of sampling method and sample size directly influences the study’s validity, reliability, and generalization.

In a nutshell, sampling theory is used in nursing research, especially when researchers want to select a representative sample from a large population to draw valid conclusions and make generalizations. The sampling theory is useful, especially when research resources are limited, ethical concerns come into play, or statistical analysis and research design need a smaller sample for practical reasons.

In case you face any difficulty applying sampling theory in nursing research you can seek help from our DNP capstone project writers for assistance any time of the day.

Methods of Sampling in Sampling Theory in Nursing Research

Sampling is a crucial aspect of nursing research that enables researchers to gather representative data from a larger population. By picking a subset of individuals or units from a target population, researchers can draw inferences and make generalizations about the large group.

Understanding the different methods of sampling is essential for ensuring the reliability and validity of research findings in nursing. So, what are some of the different sampling methods commonly used in nursing research, their advantages and limitations?

Probability sampling methods

Probability sampling methods are based on the principles of random selection, ensuring that every member of the target population has an equal chance of being included in the sample. The probability sampling methods provide a solid foundation for generalizing research findings. These methods include:

Simple random sampling

In simple random sampling, each member of the population is assigned a unique number, and a random selection process is utilized in choosing the participants. The simple random sampling method is direct but may be challenging to implement in larger populations.

Stratified random sampling

Stratified random sampling involves the division of populations into sub-groups or strata based on specific characteristics like gender or age. Participants are randomly chosen from each stratum, thus ensuring representation from each group. Stratified random sampling allows for more accurate comparisons between groups. However, it requires prior knowledge of the population’s characteristics.

Cluster sampling

Cluster sampling entails dividing the population into clusters or groups such as hospitals or nursing units. Researchers randomly select a few clusters and include all individuals within those clusters in the sample. Cluster sampling is useful when the population is geographically dispersed or difficult to access individually.

Non-Probability sampling methods

Non-probability sampling methods do not rely on random selection thus making it difficult to generalize the findings to the entire population. Regardless, these methods are often more practical and cost-effective in nursing research. The following are some of the non-probability sampling methods:

Convenience sampling

Convenience sampling entails selecting individuals who are readily available and accessible to the research. Although this method of sampling is convenient, it may introduce bias as it relies on the researcher’s judgment and accessibility.

Purposive sampling

Purposive sampling involves selecting participants who possess specific characteristics or experiences relevant to the research question. Researchers purposefully choose individuals who can provide rich and in-depth information. While this method allows for target data collection, it may limit generalizability.

Snowball sampling

Snowball sampling depends on participants referring to other potential participants who share similar characteristics or experiences. The snowball sampling method is useful when researching rare or hard-to-reach populations. Regardless, it may also introduce bias as participants may refer to individuals who share their perspectives.

Conclusion

Sampling theory in nursing research as it enables researchers to collect data that represents the larger population. Understanding the various sampling methods, both probability and non-probability is vital for researchers to choose the most appropriate approach for their research.

Probability sampling methods such as simple random sampling, cluster sampling, and stratified random methods, offer a strong foundation for generalization. On the other hand, non-probability sampling methods, like convenience sampling, purposive sampling, and snowball sampling, provide practical alternatives when probability sampling is challenging or not feasible.

As such, researchers must carefully reflect the strengths and limitations of each sampling method, ensuring that their chosen method aligns with the research question, population characteristics, and available resources. By using suitable sampling methods, nursing researchers can enhance the validity and reliability of their findings, ultimately contributing to evidence-based nursing practice.

10 Steps to Writing a Winning MBA Project Proposal

10 Essential Steps to Writing Winning MBA Project Proposal

In business, ideas are prolific, but a well-crafted proposal to bring those ideas to life is pure gold.

This is especially true when it comes to your MBA journey, where your project proposal can be the key to unlocking opportunities and paving the way for academic success. The proposal is not merely a formality but a testament to the researcher’s ability to conduct significant research. It is a document that is often used to assess the feasibility of the project and the researcher’s preparedness to undertake the study.

How do you ensure your MBA project proposal stands out from the rest though? How do you craft a proposal that not only meets the academic standards but also captures the attention and interest of your audience? This post will guide you through 10 essential steps to craft a winning MBA project proposal.

From choosing the right topic,
Conducting preliminary research,
Defining the problem statement,
Setting objectives,
Developing the methodology,
Creating a project timeline,
Reviewing the literature,
Outlining expected results
Preparing the budget
To proofreading and editing your proposal.

Why Do You Need an MBA Project Proposal?

Okay, let’s get real for a second; You might be sitting there, scratching your head, thinking, “Why do I even need to write an MBA project proposal though?” Well, let me break it down for you:

Imagine you’re about to embark on a road trip. You wouldn’t just jump in the car and start driving without a clue where you’re going, right? You’d have a map, or at least use the GPS on your phone.

That’s exactly what your MBA project proposal is – it’s your roadmap, your GPS. It’s what guides you from the starting point of your project all the way to the finish line. Something to keep in mind too is that your project proposal isn’t just for you. It’s also your chance to show everyone else what you’re made of.

It’ll help you show your professors and peers that you’ve got the knowledge and skills to tackle a big problem and come up with a solution. That said, let’s keep going. Next up, we’re going to take a deep dive into the 10 most essential steps to crafting an awesome project proposal.

Step 1: Choosing the Right Topic

We will start with – picking your topic. Now, you might be thinking, “I’ve got a tens MBA project topics ideas, how do I even choose just one?” Well, choosing the right topic for your MBA project proposal isn’t just about picking something that interests you (although that’s definitely important!).

It’s also about choosing a topic that’s relevant, impactful, and manageable. What do I mean by this?

Relevance. You want to choose a topic that’s relevant to your field of study and the current business landscape. Think about the big issues in your field right now.
Impact. The best MBA project proposals are those that have the potential to make a real impact. So, think about how your project could contribute to your field.
Manageability. It’s easy to get carried away with big ideas, but remember, your project needs to be something you can actually achieve.

Think about the resources you have available, the timeframe you’re working with, and the scope of your project. You want to choose a topic that’s ambitious, but also realistic.

Step 2: Conducting Preliminary Research

Okay you now have got the topic, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get down to business. And by business, I mean research.

A solid MBA project proposal is built on a foundation of thorough, well-conducted research. It’s like the secret sauce that adds depth and credibility to your proposal. So, let’s talk about how to do it right.

First things first, you want to start with a broad overview of your topic. Look for general information that can help you understand the context and background of your topic.
Next, you want to start narrowing down your research. This is where you start looking at specific studies, reports, and papers related to your topic. You’re looking for data, facts, and insights that can support your project proposal. Use academic search engines like Google Scholar, your university database, and references from relevant articles to find existing research that helps answer your research question. You can also leverage other students’ dissertations related to your topic.
Finally, remember that research is a process. It takes time and patience. But trust me, it’s worth it. The more you know about your topic, the stronger your project proposal will be.

Step 3: Defining the Problem Statement

Your statement of the problem is like the heart of your project proposal. It’s the thing that gives your project purpose and direction.

It’s the question you’re trying to answer, the problem you’re trying to solve, the issue you’re trying to address. It’s the “why” behind your project.

So, how do you do it?

Start by clearly stating the problem. What is the issue you’ve identified in your research?
Next, explain why this problem matters. Why should people care about this issue?
Finally, describe what you don’t know yet – the gaps in knowledge that your project will fill.

Step 4: Setting the Objectives

These are the goals you’re aiming for. They’re the “what” of your project.

But here’s the catch – your objectives need to be SMART:

Specific: Specific means your objectives should be clear and precise. Instead of saying “I want to improve business strategies,” say “I want to develop a new marketing strategy to increase customer engagement by 20%.”
Measurable: Measurable means you should be able to track your progress. You need to know when you’ve achieved your objective, so make sure there’s a way to measure it.
Achievable: Achievable, your objectives should be realistic. It’s great to aim high, but make sure your objectives are something you can actually accomplish.
Relevant: Relevant, be aligned with your problem statement and the overall goal of your project.
Time-bound: Time-bound, have a deadline. When do you want to achieve your objectives? Set a timeline to keep yourself on track.

Step 5: Developing the Methodology

Think of your research methodology as your project’s blueprint. It’s the plan that outlines how you’re going to conduct your research and achieve your objectives. It’s the “how” of your project.

Your methodology should cover a few key areas.

First, you’ll want to outline your research design. Are you conducting a case study? A survey? An experiment? Describe the approach you’re taking and why it’s the best fit for your project.
Next, you’ll want to detail your data collection methods. Are you conducting interviews? Sending out questionnaires? Mining data from existing databases? Explain how you’ll gather the data you need for your project.
And finally, don’t forget to address any ethical considerations. If you’re dealing with human subjects, for example, you’ll need to explain how you’ll protect their privacy and obtain their consent.

Step 6: Creating a Project Timeline

Your timeline should outline the key stages of your project and set deadlines for each one. This includes everything from your initial research and data collection to your analysis, writing, and revisions.

But here’s something to note – your timeline needs to be realistic. It’s easy to underestimate how long tasks will take, so give yourself plenty of time for each stage. And don’t forget to factor in some buffer time for unexpected delays or challenges.

Step 7: Reviewing the Literature

Literature review isn’t just about finding relevant sources. It’s also about understanding the bigger picture.

How do you do it? Well,

Start by searching for sources that are relevant to your topic. Look for recent studies, influential theories, and key data.
Then, read these sources critically. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they relate to your project?

And remember, a good literature review isn’t just a summary of sources. It’s a critical analysis.

Step 8: Outlining the Expected Results

Outlining your expectations is about setting clear expectations and preparing for different outcomes.

Your expected results section is where you get to imagine what success looks like for your project.

Be aware that – research is unpredictable. Things don’t always go according to plan. So, it’s also important to think about potential challenges or obstacles you might face.

What will you do if your results don’t align with your expectations? How will you handle unexpected findings?

Outlining your expected results is a bit like drawing a map of the future. It helps you prepare for the journey ahead and anticipate any bumps in the road.

Step 9: Preparing the Budget

Your budget should outline all the costs associated with your project. This could include everything from materials and equipment to software, travel expenses, or even your time.

The key here is to be thorough and realistic. Underestimating your budget can lead to stress and delays down the line, so it’s better to overestimate than underestimate.

This shows your professors or any potential funders that you’ve thought carefully about your budget and are making responsible financial decisions.

Take your calculator and start crunching those numbers, and create a budget that will fuel your project to success.

Step 10: Proofreading and Editing

Here’s your chance to make your proposal shine and ensure it’s the best it can be.

Time to check for clarity, coherence, and, of course, those pesky grammar and spelling mistakes.

However, proofreading and editing isn’t just about fixing mistakes. It’s also about improving your writing. It’s about making sure your ideas are clearly communicated, your arguments are compelling, and your proposal is engaging to read.

Remember, your MBA project proposal is a reflection of you and your project. So, make it shine. Make it clear. Make it compelling. And most importantly, make it yours.

Sometimes you may need extra eyes to proofread and edit your proposal to avoid confirmation bias. It is not unethical to have a professional editor go over your work and correct errors and mistakes. Today, you will easily find writers and editors offering to help with writing MBA project online. While at it, remember to verify that the proofreaders and editors are qualified and knowledgeable to avoid last minute frustrations.

How To Create Map in ArcGIS Pro

GIS involves utilization of tools in the GIS software to manage and analyze geographic(spatial) data. It mostly involves collection of data, processing and interpretation with an aim of creating maps. Other than possessing problem solving, team work, excellent communication and strong analytical skills; GIS Analysts must have knowledge of some basic geoprocessing tools. Geoprocessing tools are very essential when one wants to execute a certain analysis using the GIS software such ArcGIS Pro.

Map making mostly involves defining the core theme of the plan, defining type of map chosen to convey the theme, detecting the target audience and framing the finest way to organize, merge and configure the features to efficiently communicate the map’s intended message.

Map making in ArcGIS Pro involves five steps, namely:

Preparation
Mapping
Labelling
Layout
Proof checking

To minimize errors, the analyst must follow these steps chronologically without skipping any step.

Step One: Preparation

This is the most important in map making as it lays the foundation on the kind of output(map) that will be generated. It gives a room for the analyst to decide:Where they are going to map? What kind of scale and extend they will apply? Setting and choosing appropriate zone and coordinate system.

Firstly, Start the Software (ArcGIS Pro) and sign in. Move the cursor to the start page and click open another project, create a new layout guided by the chosen dimensions hence printing won’t be problematic. To do this, move the cursor to “new layout icon”, click and navigate to your desired size to be printed. Secondly, the empty map should be added to the layout and setting its position and size. The next step involves activation, panning and zooming of the map to desired extent and scale. To activate, in the contents pane, right click the map frame and click activate.

In addition, open the map properties and apply the set scale as a reference scale, insert a layer template, save the edits and close the map activation. Final step preparation stage involves downloading data enclosed by the defined extent and scale: and noting down the source of the data for later reference.

Move the cursor on the ribbon and click view, click reset panes and choose reset panes for mapping. This will make sure catalog and contents panes remain open. In the content pane, right click layout and click properties. On the layout properties icon, click general tab and makes the desired changes by renaming it.

Guides are useful in aligning elements on the layout. To add guidelines, right click the ruler ribbon and click add guides. In the guides dialog box, navigate to orientation and choose both. Navigate again to placement drop down arrow choose offset from edge. Choose your desired value in the margin box and click Ok.

how to create map using ArcGIS Pro — Image 1: Showing the process of choosing a desired layout.

Step Two: Mapping

This step involves adding data into the map as well as removing the unwanted layers as you merge the datasets into a single layer. It is also in this stage that will determine whether you have all the required or need some more datasets. Definition queries can be used to filter out the unwanted data to be displayed on the map.

Before adding data to the map, its important to consider the purpose of the map, the accuracy of the data in relation to the message to be conveyed, how dense the dataset is and the age of the data. To add data, move the cursor the “add data” icon, expand and click “add data to the map” > move to where you have saved your data, select the required datasets and click Ok for them to be added in the map as shown in the image 2 &3 below.

ArcGIS Pro Map layout — Image 2: Showing the location of the datasets to be added in the map.

Image 3: Showing how data is added in the map

The next move will be to create/make a new geodatabase file and exporting each of the layers into it and renaming them with new names. To create a geodatabase, in the catalog pane right click folder and click new file geodatabase. Remove the old layers from the map while keeping the new ones. Now symbolization of the data should be carried out to give it a better look/appearance.

Step Three: Labelling

This step is very crucial in map making as it gives maps better looks. First and foremost, turning on of the labelling should be done for the suitable layers.To turn on labels, choose a feature layer in the content pane. On the feature layer click labelling tab. In the layer group click on label. Secondly, create a different label class for every style of text.Thirdly, keep playing with the labelling properties until they meet your desired appearance. Lastly, convert the labels to annotation and ensure your taste is met through editing.

Step Four: Making a layout

This step involves making a map that will be used as a key. To create a new map, move the cursor to insert icon on the window ribbon and click new map. Firstly, insert a new map and choose a suitable coordinate system. To choose a suitable coordinate system, move the cursor to the map properties, click coordinate tab, click Ok to set the coordinate system. Secondly, add the key map you have created to the layout. Thirdly, create a new layout guided by the chosen dimensions hence printing won’t be problematic. The empty map should be added to the layout and setting its position and size. The next step involves activation, panning and zooming of the map to desired extent and scale. In addition, open the map properties and apply the set scale as a reference scale, insert a layer template, save the edits and close the map activation. Add some more data that can explain to the target audience/reader where in the universe they are looking at. Make appropriate symbols and label for the map.

The next move involves inserting cartographic items. To do this, click insert icon and use cursor to move over and clicking on items that you like to insert to your map. Some of these cartographic items that need to be inserted may include: Title of the map, legend, scale bar, north arrow, graticule or grid, source credits, descriptive text, graphs, charts and pictures.

how to create map layout using ArcGIS Pro — Image 4: Showing a final map with legend, scale bar, title and north arrow.

Step Five: Proof reading

This is also very important stage of mapping that should not be skipped at any cost. This stage allows the cartographer to correct some mistakes they may have made during map making. To do this, ensure all the layers necessary are turned on. First the layout must be exported in pdf format for the errors to be seen and corrected on the map. The process has to be repeated for several time to ensure that all errors are fixed.

how to create arcgis pro — Image 5: Showing the prof reading process to ensure there are minimum to no errors in the final output.

Maps can also be created from carrying some spatial analysis. Some the basic of the common analysis may include: Buffering, calculating density by container, carrying out analysis using symbology to classify the data into desired percentages, performing some network analysis such as origin destination cost matrix to determine number of facilities that can be accessed from a chosen point.

To create a map that shows some facilities that can be accessed from a specific point, origin destination cost matrix can be performed. Move the cursor to the analysis tool > move to network analysis tool and click it > import the datasets in the destination, origin and set the desired parameters > click run to execute the analysis. The output will display some destinations and origin points as shown in a final map in image 5 below.

how to create destination map in arcgis — Image 6: Showing Origin destination map (school with easy access)

This tool is useful in creating new features around other features. To buffer a feature, click the edit > click modify features. In the modify features expand construct > navigate to buffer and click it. Click the template arrow > choose a template feature > in the buffer box type your desired distance to buffer > in the rings enter the number of multiple buffers > check preview and dissolve as well, also specify the shape of the buffer product > in the pane, click buffer.

buffering geoprocessing tool in arcgis — Image 7: Showing buffering geoprocessing in ArcGIS Pro.

Symbology analysis can also be used to create specific map that classify the data into a specific class. For instance, population data can be classified into upper and lower quartile to create a specific map like the one shown below.

arcgis pro map assignment — Image 8: Showing the highest quartile of population neighborhood in terms of fast food restaurants

Higher and lower density areas in a dataset can easily be identified through creating an area density map. For instance, in the map below, the density of fast food restaurants in Toronto is calculated using container approach. The output is as shown in image 9 below.

Image 9: Showing density of fast food restaurant in Toronto(per sq km).

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Ultimate Guide: How To Write Article Review- Format, Types, Tips and Examples

Ultimate Guide: How to Write Article Review:- Format, Types, Tips and Examples

Have you ever read an article and thought, “I’ve got some thoughts on this piece?” Well, that’s where article reviews come in. An article review is a written evaluation of a published piece, where you summarize the content and analyze its strengths and weaknesses. Sounds cool, right?

But why should you care about writing article reviews? Well, they’re not only a fantastic way to sharpen your critical thinking skills but also an excellent opportunity to practice and improve your writing. Plus, they’re a common assignment in academia and can even help you build credibility as an expert in your field!

So, are you ready to become an article review superstar? This blog post has got you covered! We’ll go through the format, types, tips, and examples of article reviews, plus some common mistakes and how to avoid them. By the end of this post, you’ll have everything you need to write an A+.

Get to learn how article review assignment help team deliver A+ quality review assignment . Let’s get started!

Format: The Blueprint of Your Article Review

A solid structure is the foundation of any great article review. Think of it as a blueprint that will guide you through the process and help you organize your thoughts. Ready to explore the key components? Let’s dive in!

Crafting the Perfect Title and Citation

Kick off your review with an attention-grabbing title that reflects the content of your review. You’ll also need to include the citation of the article you’re reviewing. Remember to follow the appropriate citation style (like APA, MLA, or Chicago) based on your requirements.

Introduction: Hook ’em with a Killer Opening

First impressions matter, so make sure your introduction is engaging and informative. Start with a hook, like a thought-provoking question, an interesting quote, or a surprising fact from the article.

Then, briefly introduce the article’s topic, author, and main argument. And don’t forget to mention the purpose of your review!

Using quotes or intriguing facts to engage readers

For example, if you’re reviewing an article about climate change, you could start with a shocking fact: “Did you know that the last decade was the hottest ever recorded on Earth?” This will instantly grab your readers’ attention and set the stage for the rest of your review.

Summary: Striking the balance between brevity and detail

Next up, provide a concise yet comprehensive summary of the article’s main points. Aim to capture the essence of the piece without drowning your readers in details. Keep it short, sweet, and to the point!

Analysis: Unleashing your inner critic

Now comes the fun part: analyzing the article! This is where you’ll flex your critical thinking muscles and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the piece. Discuss the author’s argumens, evidence, and writing style. Are they convincing? Is there anything missting or flawed? Be objective and fair in your assessment.

Conclusion: Ending on a high note

Wrap up your review by summarizing your main findings and offering your final thoughts on the article. What’s the overall impact of the piece? Is it a valuable contribution to the field? Don’t forget to include a call-to-action for your readers, encouraging them to read the article or share their own thoughts in the comments section.

Types of Article Reviews: Know Your Style

Not all article reviews are created equal. Depending on your goal, you might choose a different approach to reviewing an article. Let’s take a look at three common types of article reviews and when to use them:

1. Descriptive Reviews: Painting the Picture

Descriptive reviews focus on providing a thorough summary of the article’s content. Your goal here is to give your readers a clear understanding of what the article is about and the author’s main arguments. This type of review is ideal when you want to inform your audience about a specific topic without diving too deep into a critical analysis.

For example, if you’re reviewing an article on a new scientific discovery, a descriptive review would help readers grasp the key findings and their implications.

2. Critical Reviews

Critical reviews go beyond summarizing the content and dive into a deeper evaluation of the article. You’ll assess the author’s arguments, methodology, evidence, and writing style, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the piece.

This type of review is perfect when you want to offer a well-rounded critique and engage in a meaningful discussion about the topic.

For instance, if you’re reviewing a controversial opinion piece, a critical review would allow you to dissect the author’s arguments and present a balanced assessment.

3. Comparative Reviews: The Ultimate Showdown

Comparative reviews involve analyzing two or more articles on a similar topic, comparing their approaches, arguments, and conclusions. This type of review is useful when you want to offer your readers a broader perspective on a subject and encourage them to explore multiple viewpoints.

Imagine you’re reviewing articles on different diets, like keto and paleo. A comparative review would enable you to highlight the similarities and differences between the two, helping readers make informed decisions about their nutritional choices.

Real-life examples for each type

For more inspiration, check out these examples of each type of article review:

Descriptive Review: The Science of Sharing and the Sharing of Science
Critical Review: Opinion Article
Comparative Review: Comparing Literature Review

Links to articles or blog posts that delve deeper into each type

Want to learn more about each type of article review? These resources have got you covered:

Descriptive Reviews: Descriptive review characteristics usage and examples
Critical Reviews: How to Write Critical Reviews by The Writing Center
Comparative Reviews: How to Write a Comparative Analysis by The Writing Center

Now that you know the different types of article reviews, let’s move on to some tips that will help you excel in your review-writing adventure!

How to Write Article Review Like Expert Writer

Tips: Secrets to Writing an A+ Article Review

Mastering the art of article review writing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to crafting an insightful and engaging review:

Tip #1: Be a thorough reader: why skimming won’t cut it

To write a top-notch review, you need to know the article inside out. Read it carefully, and don’t be afraid to read it more than once. Pay close attention to the author’s main arguments, evidence, and writing style. The better you understand the article, the more informed and effective your review will be.

Tip #2: Note-taking and organization: your secret weapons

As you read the article, take notes on the key points, arguments, and evidence. Jot down any questions, thoughts, or reactions you have while reading. Organizing your thoughts from the get-go will make the writing process smoother and ensure you don’t miss any crucial details in your review.

Tip #3: Authenticity: let your unique voice shine

Don’t be afraid to inject your own personality and writing style into your review. Your readers want to hear your voice and perspective, not a regurgitation of someone else’s thoughts. Be true to yourself, and your review will resonate with your audience.

Tip #4: Fairness: the art of objective analysis

When analyzing the article, it’s essential to remain objective and fair. Even if you don’t agree with the author’s viewpoint, strive to present a balanced assessment of their work. Recognize the article’s strengths and weaknesses without letting your personal biases cloud your judgment.

Tip #5: The polish: editing and proofreading your masterpiece

Before you hit “publish,” take the time to edit and proofread your review. Look for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, as well as any awkward phrasings or inconsistencies in your argument. A polished review will not only be more enjoyable to read but also showcase your attention to detail and professionalism.

Top-notch proofreading hacks

Need some help with proofreading? This YouTube video offers some fantastic tips and tricks to catch those pesky errors and polish your writing to perfection

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to tackle any article review that comes your way. But before you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), let’s take a look at some common mistakes to avoid and examples of great article reviews in action!

Oops! Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Alright, friends, you’ve got the format, types, and tips for writing an amazing article review in your toolkit. But wait, there’s more! To truly rock your review, watch out for these common blunders and learn how to dodge ’em like a pro:

Over-summarizing or under-analyzing

Strike the right balance between summarizing and analyzing. Keep your summary short and sweet, focusing on the article’s main points. Remember, the meat of your review is the analysis and evaluation, so don’t let the summary hog the spotlight!

Forgetting the article’s context or background

Think big picture when reviewing an article. What’s the context or background behind the author’s arguments? Any hidden assumptions or biases? Tackling these aspects in your review will make your analysis richer and more insightful.

Plagiarism pitfalls and how to steer clear

Always give credit where it’s due. Paraphrase or quote the article when needed, and don’t forget to cite your sources according to the proper citation style. Keep your review original and authentic to sidestep plagiarism.

Getting too subjective or biased

Sure, your opinion matters, but keep your review as objective as possible. Don’t let your personal beliefs or biases cloud your judgment. Focus on offering a fair and balanced assessment of the article instead.

Neglecting the importance of a well-structured review

A messy or poorly structured review can be super confusing for your readers. Stick to the format we chatted about earlier, and use clear headings and smooth transitions to guide your readers through your review.

And that’s it. By dodging these common slip-ups, you’ll be on your way to crafting an article review that’s both engaging and informative. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and start writing!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Own Article Review

Now that you’ve learned the ins and outs of writing a top-notch article review, it’s time to get down to business.

Step 1: Review the article with a critical eye

Start by carefully reading the article you’ll be reviewing. Keep a critical eye on the content, and make sure you fully understand the author’s main points and arguments.

Step 2: Jot down your notes and organize your thoughts

As you read, take detailed notes on the article’s key elements. Organize your thoughts using headings and bullet points, so you can easily refer back to them when you’re writing your review. This will help you create a well-structured and focused piece.

Step 3: Draft your review, following the format and tips we discussed

Once you’ve got your notes and thoughts organized, start drafting your review. Remember the format we covered earlier, and use it as a guide for structuring your piece. Keep the tone engaging and informal, and make sure to follow the tips we discussed to avoid common mistakes.

Step 4: Add some flair with catchy headings, links, and multimedia

To make your review even more engaging and fun, spice things up with catchy headings and subheadings. Add links to other blogs or articles that support your points or offer additional insights. You can even include multimedia like images, infographics, or YouTube videos to illustrate your points and keep your readers hooked!

Step 5: Edit and proofread for a polished final product

Check for typos, grammatical errors, and inconsistencies in style or formatting. Make sure your review flows well and is easy to read. A polished final product will leave a lasting impression on your readers and demonstrate your expertise as a reviewer.

Step 6: Share your masterpiece and engage with your audience

Congratulations, you’ve created an awesome article review! Now it’s time to share your work with the world. Publish your review on your blog or platform of choice, and promote it on social media or through email newsletters. Engage with your audience by responding to comments and encouraging them to share their thoughts and opinions on the article. After all, the best reviews spark lively conversations and inspire further exploration of the topic.

Wrap Up!

With the right format, a clear understanding of the different types of reviews, and some handy tips, you can craft an engaging and informative review that’ll resonate with your audience. Remember to avoid common pitfalls, add some flair with multimedia and catchy headings, and most importantly, have fun with it!

16 Geoprocessing Tools Every GIS Analyst Should Know

16 Geoprocessing Tools To Use In GIS Homework Like GIS Pro

Are you a student or newbie in using GIS software and would like learn to geoprocess like an expert GIS analyst? Well, you are at the right place. In this post, we have compiled an ultimate list of top 16 geoprocessing tools that GIS analysts at our GIS homework help service do use most.

You will learn basics as well as most common ways of processing GIS data that include clipping, buffering, merging, intersecting among others. Our comprehensive list of geoprocessing tools include tools that can be used in ArcGIS and QGIS softwares.

Geoprocessing tools are very essential when one wants to execute a certain analysis using the GIS software such ArcGIS or Qgis. Some of the most common geoprocessing tools that every GIS Analyst should know:

Buffer tool
Clip tool
Merge Tool
Dissolve tool
Intersect Tool
Union Tool
The erase (Different) tool
Spatial join tool
Extract by Mask Tool
Clip Raster Tool
Extract by attributes tool
Reclassify
Project tool
Near
Calculate by Geometry
Near

Buffer geoprocessing tool

This is a reclassification process based on distance inside or without a certain closeness. The output are normally polygons around input features at a given distance. Buffer geoprocessing process works in two ways: Euclidean and Geodesic.

Euclidean measures distances in 2D (Two-Dimensional) cartesian plane whereby the distances are calculated between two destinations on a cartesian plane (flat surface). It is ideal in analyzing distances around polygons that are focused in quite a small area.
Geodesic buffering calculates distances between two location or points on a geoid surface. The methods applied determine the kind of buffers created.

In ArcMap buffering can be performed through the following procedure: Click edit tool followed by clicking the feature where buffering is to be created around> click editor menu and then buffer> type the desired distance in map scale units> Select the target in which the new feature will be created> click ok.

geoprocessing tool — Figure 1: Showing Geoprocessing Buffer Tool

Clipping geoprocessing in ArcGIS

This is creating a subset dataset from a larger dataset through cutting out a section of a certain dataset using a section or multiple of the features in another dataset. The clipping process is useful in choosing an area of interest or study area during spatial analysis. The clipping layer is always a polygon whereas the input layer can either be a polyline, points or polygons. Clipping can be performed both on vector and raster datasets. For Raster dataset, clipping is done using either graphics, data frame or polygons.

Clipping geoprocessing is as follows:

The first step involves clicking the edit tool on the editor tool bar

Clipping geoprocessing Tool — Figure 3: Showing Clipping geoprocessing Toll

Step two involves selecting the features to be clipped

Step 3 involves typing the input features, output features and the tolerance value. Click the type of clipping operation whether to maintain or discard, then Ok.

Figure 5: Showing the 3rd step in Clipping geoprocessing

Merge Geoprocessing Tool

Merging in ArcGIS involves combing chosen features of the same layer or multiple layers into a new single feature. The feature must be either from a polygon or a line layer. In addition, also data sets must be from the same data type. The selected feature can either be modified or preserved.

Merging process in ArcMap involves the following process: Clicking the edit tool bar followed by clicking the features you would like to merge. Click the merge tool then click the feature the features will be merged into and finally click Ok to execute the process.

showing merging geoprocessing — Figure 7: Showing merging geoprocessing.

Dissolve Geoprocessing tool

Dissolving tool generalizes and simplifies boundaries from a more complex to a simple. In most cases this tool adjacent edges on a common attribute values basis. The edges(boundaries) will melts into one only if the neighboring polygons share the similar dissolving attribute.

In ArcMap, dissolving tool can be accessed in the data management tool in the generalization toolset. It involves setting the fields that you would like to dissolve. To perform the dissolving geoprocessing: Click Arctoolbox> data management tool > Generalization > Dissolve > double click it. In the new window pane that appears > input files > output files will be selected automatically > Dissolve > Ok.

location dissolve tool in the Arctoolbox — Figure 8: Showing the location of Dissolve tool in the Arctoolbox

dissolving geoprocessing — Figure 9: Showing Dissolving geoprocessing.

Intersect Tool

This tool calculates a geometric connection of the input features. In most cases, percentages or features of the feature that overlay in all layers or feature classes will be inscribed to the output(product) feature class. While performing this analysis it is advisable that the input features simple one like point, polygon or polyline.

To perform this analysis in ArcMap, go the toolbar > geoprocessing > intersect > enter the input feature, out put feature class, join attributes, tolerance attribute, output type > click Ok.

intersect geoprocessing tool — Figure 10: Showing intersect geoprocessing

Union Geoprocessing Tool

The Union geoprocessing performs calculation of geometric union of whatever number of feature layers and classes. All input feature layers or classes must polygons in order for the output feature class to comprise polygons representative of geometric union of all involvements as well as the all the fields from all the input feature classes. Furthermore, union tool controls the spatial reference, clusters and cracks the features, determines geometric relationsamongst features from all feature classes and inscribes new features to the output.

To perform Union geoprocessing in ArcMap: Go to geoprocessing > navigate to union > click union > input the features > click Ok to execute the analysis.

Erase Geoprocessing Tool

Erase tool generates a product feature class by overlapping the input features with the erase features. Only those percentages of the input features falling exterior of the erase features are copied to the product feature class.

To carry out erasing geoprocessing in ArcMap: Go to geoprocessing> navigate to search > type and search erase geoprocessing tool > Enter input features > enter erase features > enter output feature class > enter tolerance > click Ok to execute the analysis.

Spatial Join Geoprocessing Tool

This tool joins attributes from one feature to another grounded on the spatial connection. The target features and the merged attributes from the combined features are inscribed in the product feature class. All attributes of the merge features are added to attributes of the target features and cliched over to the output feature class. In the process attributes to be written to the output can be defined.

Spatial join analysis can be carried out in ArcMap as follows: Click on the geoprocessing> navigate to search > type spatial join tool > click the tool > enter the target feature, join features, click Ok to execute the analysis.

spatial join geoprocessing tool — Figure 13: Showing spatial join geoprocessing.

Extract by Mask

This is a spatial analysis function that extracts the cells of a raster that correspond to the areas defined by a mask. Attributes from the input raster will be carried over to the output raster attribute table.

To perform extract by mask analysis in ArcMap, the following steps are followed: Click the geoprocessing and navigate to the search > type extract by mask > click the tool> input the Raster data, input the feature mask data, enter the output raster > Click Ok to execute the function.

Figure 14 Showing Extract by Mask Analysis

Clip Raster Geoprocessing

The Clip Raster tool permits the extraction of a percentage of a raster dataset on the basis of a template extent. The clip product comprises of any pixels that interconnect the template extent.

Clip Raster geoprocessing is carried out in ArcMap as follows: Enable image analysis Toolbar > image analysis > select the Raster to clip > enter polygon boundary to clip to > Click clip icon > click save to export Raster.

Clip Raster geoprocessing tool — Figure 15: Showing Clip Raster geoprocessing

Extract by Attributes Geoprocessing

This function involves extraction of the cells of a raster on a logical query basis. Attributes from the input raster dataset are normally passed over to the product raster attribute table. Liable on the property presence documented, part of the attribute values may require to be recalculated.

In ArcMap, extract by attribute analysis can be performed as follows: Click on geoprocessing > Navigate to search and type “extract by attributes” > Navigate to the tool > enter input raster, enter the “where value cluster”, enter the output raster > click Ok to perform the analysis.

Figure 15: Showing the extract by attributes geoprocessing.

Reclassify geoprocessing tool

Reclassify tool deals with values in a raster. The tool reclassifies the values in a raster. It uses some parameters such as “classify or unique” generates map based on the values of the input raster dataset.
Reclassify geoprocessing can be performed as follows in the ArcMap: On the geoprocessing navigate to search > enter “reclassify” > click on the tool analysis > enter the input raster, enter the reclass field, enter reclassification (whether unique or classify), enter the output raster > click Ok to execute the function.

reclass geoprocessing tool — Figure 17: Showing reclass geoprocessing

Project Geoprocessing Tool

Project geoprocessing tool is useful in projecting spatial data from one coordinate system to another. To perform this in the ArcMap, the following steps are followed: Go to Arctoolbox > Data management > projection and transformation > project > enter the input dataset or feature class, output dataset or feature class, output coordinate system > Click Ok to execute the function.

Near geoprocessing Tool

Near(analysis) tool helps the GIS Analyst to compute distance and extra nearness info between the input features and the nearby feature in another layer or feature class. To perform “near analysis” in ArcMap, the following steps are useful: On the geoprocessing navigate to the search > type “near analysis” > On the appeared tab enter the: Input features, near feature, enter the method and click Ok to execute the function.

Figure 19 Showing near(analysis) geoprocessing

Calculate by geometry geoprocessing tool

Calculate by geometry can be utilized by any GIS analyst when they want to add info to a feature’s attribute fields in place of geometric features and location of each feature like area or length, elevation and x-y coordinates.

To carry out “calculate by geometry” in ArcMap, the following steps can be followed: go to the geoprocessing and navigate to search > click and type “calculate by geometry” > click in the “add geometry attributes”> enter input features, geometry properties, length unit, area unit > click Ok to execute the function.

Figure 20 Showing calculate by geometry geoprocessing

References
Introduction to arcgis pro (no date) Introduction to ArcGIS Pro-ArcGIS Pro | Documentation. Available at: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/get-started.htm (Accessed: April 3, 2023).

Nursing Leadership Practicum Project Ideas

7 Greatest Nursing Leadership Practicum Project Ideas

Welcome, dear reader, to a blog post that will tickle your funny bone and ignite your imagination. If you’ve landed on this page, you’re likely a nursing student or a passionate healthcare professional seeking inspiration for your nursing leadership practicum project. Now fasten your seat belts, sweetie, because you’re in for a ride that will have you in (laugh-induced) stitches!

Before we dive into the entertaining world of nursing leadership practicum project ideas, let’s take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication that nurses bring to their profession.

Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system, and their leadership skills are crucial in ensuring the best possible care for patients. So, hats off to you, future nursing leader!

Leadership practicum projects are designed to improve healthcare delivery in a community. During your practicum you will learn and be guided by a preceptor, who is an accomplished healthcare leader, over three semesters.

1. Nurse Sherlock: The Great Hospital Mystery

Who doesn’t love a good whodunit? Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to identify gaps and inefficiencies in your hospital’s day-to-day operations. Put on your detective hat and become Nurse Sherlock, solving the great hospital mystery!

Create a detailed report of your findings and propose innovative solutions to enhance patient care and streamline hospital processes. Your engaging presentation will leave your colleagues and supervisors in awe of your deductive abilities!

“The art of nursing, as now practiced, seems to be expressly constituted to unmake what God had made disease to be.” – Florence Nightingale

2. The Nursing Escape Room: A Team-Building Extravaganza

In this thrilling, interactive project, you’ll design an escape room experience that tests your nursing team’s clinical knowledge, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.

Create challenging puzzles and scenarios related to nursing practice, and watch your colleagues put their heads together to escape within the allotted time. This project not only fosters team camaraderie but also reinforces essential nursing concepts in a fun and engaging way!

3. The Great Handwashing Challenge: A Hygienic Showdown

They say cleanliness is next to godliness, and in nursing, it’s also next to patient safety! In this project, organize a handwashing competition among staff members to promote proper hand hygiene in the workplace.

Use humor and creativity to design entertaining challenges that test participants’ handwashing skills, such as a “handwashing relay race” or a “germ-free obstacle course.” Don’t forget to offer prizes for the most exemplary handwashing performance!

“Washing one’s hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” – Paulo Freire

4. Nurse Idol: Showcasing Talent Beyond Scrubs

Nurses are more than just skilled healthcare professionals – they’re also talented individuals with diverse interests outside the hospital walls. Organize a talent show that allows your nursing colleagues to showcase their hidden talents, from singing and dancing to poetry and painting.

This project not only builds camaraderie among staff but also helps to humanize the nursing profession by celebrating the unique qualities that each nurse brings to the table.

5. The Mentor Matchmaker: Pairing New Nurses with Seasoned Pros

Nursing can be overwhelming, especially for those just starting in the profession. In this project, create a mentorship program that pairs experienced nurses with newbies, providing invaluable guidance and support as they navigate the challenges of their new roles.

Design a fun and interactive “speed mentoring” event where potential mentor-mentee pairs can meet, chat, and find their perfect match. After all, a little guidance goes a long way in shaping the nursing leaders of tomorrow!

“A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” – Brad Henry

6. Nursepreneurs: Pitching Innovative Healthcare Solutions

Have you ever dreamed of becoming the next healthcare industry mogul? In this project, gather a group of nursing colleagues and host a “Shark Tank”-style competition where participants pitch their innovative healthcare solutions to a panel of expert judges.

This fun and engaging event encourages nurses to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to address real-world healthcare challenges. Who knows – you might just discover the next big thing in nursing!

7. Designing a Public Health Initiative

Nurses have a crucial role in promoting community health. Creating a community health nursing program targeted at a certain population is a great focus for your nursing leadership practicum assignment.

To do so, one option is to develop a program with the goals of reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases, encouraging healthy behaviors, and educating the public about the importance of maintaining good health.

As a leader, your initiative to better the community’s health will speak volumes about your leadership skills.

Innovative Nursing Practicum Project Ideas: Possible Sources

You know what they say, necessity is the mother of invention! And when it comes to coming up with ideas for nursing leadership practicum project, you might be scratching your head wondering where to start. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Let’s dive into some of the best places to look for nursing practicum project ideas.

First up, have you considered talking to your clinical mentor or preceptor? These experienced nurses are a wealth of knowledge and may be able to suggest a project idea based on your interests or the needs of your clinical setting.
Next, why not browse through some nursing journals? There are tons of great publications out there, covering everything from clinical practice to research. You might find a topic that catches your eye and inspires you to explore it further.
If you’re more of a visual person, how about checking out some nursing conferences or webinars? These events often showcase the latest and greatest in nursing research and practice. Plus, attending a conference or webinar is a great way to network with other nurses and make valuable connections.
Another source of inspiration is your own clinical experiences. Think about any challenges you’ve faced or interesting cases you’ve encountered. Is there a particular issue or area of care that you’re passionate about?
These personal experiences can often lead to great project ideas. You can also take a look at what’s currently trending in nursing. Are there any hot topics or emerging trends that you find interesting? Maybe there’s a new technology or treatment that you think would be worth exploring further.
Outside of the nursing world, there are plenty of other sources of inspiration as well. For example, you might find some great ideas by looking at what’s happening in related fields, such as medicine, public health, or social work. Or, you might draw inspiration from a completely different area altogether, such as art, music, or literature.
How about engaging a professional nurse writer. You will be surprised just for a few dollars you can hire a nursing paper writer to assist you develop innovative practicum ideas or even improve your existing idea into a nursing leadership practicum project.
Last but not least on this list, don’t forget about your fellow nursing students! Brainstorming with your classmates can be a great way to generate new ideas and get a fresh perspective on your project.

So there you have it, eight sources of inspiration to help you get started on your Nursing Practicum Project. Remember, the key is to find a topic that you’re passionate about and that will allow you to make a real impact on patient care.

Always ensure that your practicum idea is impactful and innovative. It may lead to future employment in your practicum site or you may have an opportunity to present it internationally.

Happy brainstorming!

From Idea to Impact: Navigating the Wild World of Nursing Practicum Projects!

Now that we’ve talked about some sources of inspiration for your Nursing Practicum Project, let’s dive into some of the challenges you might encounter along the way.

The time crunch: Between your clinical rotations, coursework, and personal life, finding the time to work on your project can be a real challenge. But don’t throw in the towel just yet! Here are a few tips to help you manage your time:

Prioritize your tasks and make a schedule. Try breaking your project into smaller, more manageable chunks and tackle them one at a time.
Use your free time wisely. Instead of scrolling through social media or binge-watching your favorite show, take 30 minutes to work on your project.
Take breaks! It’s important to rest and recharge so you don’t burn out.

Another common challenge is coming up with a project idea that’s both feasible and impactful. You want to choose a topic that’s within the scope of your clinical setting and resources, but that also addresses a real need or issue in patient care. To overcome this challenge, try brainstorming a list of potential topics and then doing some research to determine which ones are most feasible and impactful.

The next up is that you might encounter a challenge of getting buy-in from your clinical preceptor or mentor. It’s important to get their support and approval for your project, but they may have different priorities or ideas about what’s important to focus on. Be prepared to communicate the value of your project and explain how it will benefit patients and improve outcomes.

Finally, one of the biggest challenges of any project is staying motivated and focused. It can be easy to get bogged down in the details or to feel like you’re not making progress fast enough. One way to stay motivated is to set clear goals and deadlines for yourself, and to hold yourself accountable for meeting them.

Wrap Up!

In conclusion, nursing leadership is no laughing matter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun while developing our skills! These nursing leadership practicum project ideas are sure to entertain, engage, and ultimately, empower you to take charge of your nursing career. Remember, as the legendary Florence Nightingale once said:

“I attribute my success to this – I never gave or took any excuse.” – Florence Nightingale

So, go forth and conquer, future nurse leader! And don’t forget to keep a sense of humor along the way.

Portfolio Management Assignment Example

Executive Summary

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of different companies in the stock market. Project portfolio management is an important activity that influences the business units’ strategies and thus investment decisions. The study focuses on ascertaining the optimality of the project portfolio decisions by evaluating how they are formulated and managed. Besides, the systematic risk is determined by the macroeconomic conditions and financial systems. This report provides risk-return analysis by utilizing the Markowitz portfolio theory, the return on investment, expected return rate, variance, and standard deviation. Moreover, the study evaluates the relationship between the returns and the market portfolio by using the security market line(SML), beta coefficient, residual variance, correlation, and determination coefficient. The report uses the following selected portfolio: Best Buy Co., Microsoft, Boeing Company, and Wal-Mart Stores, which constitutes actively selected portfolio(P1); CIT Group, MetLife, NVIDIA Inc., and American Express Company, which forms randomly selected company (P2); while the passive selected portfolio(P3) includes AT&T, Pennant Park Investment Inc., Medley Capital Corp., and Hercules Capital.

1.1 Policy Statement

The stock purchased based on the performance in the market where actively selected portfolios were considered. However, the randomly selected portfolio is essential in making an optimal decision for investment purposes. This is due to the effect of portfolio theory that allows for portfolio diversification to minimize the risk while maximizing the returns for risk-averse investors. Furthermore, the passive portfolio is useful for the purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of the selected investment appraisal techniques.

2.0 Strategy Implementation, the motive behind a particular stock selection and industry analysis

This section involves a description of selected companies’ revenues, financial solvency, and financial position. The reason for selecting such companies in my portfolio are outlined in this section—the explanation based on the portfolio as P1, P2, or P3 discusses below.

2.1 An actively selected portfolio (P1)

P1 constitutes for companies, namely Best Buy Co., Microsoft, Boeing Company, and Wal-Mart Stores. Best Buy Co.(BBY) is a competitive provider of technological products, services, and solutions globally. The company provides affordable consumer products to different classes of consumers, small and medium businesses, either through their stores or online. The company has developed a variety of innovations to ensure all consumers globally are served. This is achieved by using a website platform(BestBuy.com), Best Buy App, or by use of engagement of company agents (Geek Squad Agents). The company’s operations are diversified across the world, with its brands traded in different countries with its headquarters in Richfield, Minnesota, U.S. The company is ranked as the best performing company in innovation, evident by its development of a unique chain of stores. The company reported an increase in revenues as of F.Y. 2020 by 1.8% increase from $42.88 billion, while the net income increase by 5.5% from $1.46 billion as of F.Y. 2019 to $1.54 billion for F.Y. 2020, which exceeds the analysts forecasted net income of $1.53 billion which is an increase by 0.65%. Moreover, the company assets increased by 20.85% from $12.9 billion in 2019 to $15.59 billion as of F.Y. 2020. The second company under P1 is Microsoft Corporation(MSFT). MSFT is one of the largest multinational companies dealing in proprietary software for various kinds of computer technology. Microsoft’s financial results have remained very positive for the company over the years. For the fiscal year 2020, total revenues amounted to over $ 143.02 billion, an 13.65% increase over the year before. Fundamental indicators are also very stable and positive. The debt load of the company is extremely low – the Debt / Equity ratio, which determines the debt-to-equity ratio, is only 1.31. ROE 8.82% and ROA is 0.65%. The yield of the company’s securities is higher than in the industry. Thus, the company and industry’s diluted earnings per share are $ 6.20 and $ 1.97, respectively, with a profitability ratio of 30.96%. The third company for P1 is Boeing Company(B.A.) and is the world’s largest aviation, space, and military equipment in the third quarter. The company received $ 76.56 billion for the F.Y. 2019, adjusted net income per share was $ 2.72. At the end of 2019 year, Boeing expects revenue in the range of $ 90.5- $ 92.5 billion and a profit of $ 9.9- $ 10.1 per share. Boeing has significantly strengthened its position in the civil aircraft industry by expanding the line of popular 737 aircraft and Airbus’s failure with sales of the A380. According to Boeing General Director Dennis Muilenburg, in the past quarter, Boeing put record 202 commercial aircraft and increased 737 MAX aircraft production. The last company in P1 is Walmart Inc.(WMT), an American company that manages the world’s largest wholesale and retail trade network operating under Walmart’s trademark. Its earnings per share(EPS) is 6.93, while the P.E. Ratio is 17.41. This is implying a positive dividends performance for the company in the industry. Simultaneously, despite the effect of a very high base, the retail giant is steadily growing, and almost every quarter, its revenues increase by 0.5-2%. Its shares rise in price by 2.5%.

2.2 A randomly selected company (P2)

The second portfolio includes such companies as CIT Group, MetLife, NVIDIA Corporation, and American Express Company. Citigroup Inc is one of the largest international financial conglomerates. The conglomerate’s basis is Citibank, founded in 1812 and is one of the four largest U.S. banks. Citigroup is a large financial corporation, which has many financial units that carry out international activities, working in about 140 countries around the world. Now the company employs about 250 thousand employees. The approximate cash equivalent of Citigroup assets is 1.75 trillion dollars. MetLife Inc. is the leading international holding in the field of insurance and pensions. Its revenue increased by 9.5% to $ 18.7 billion, and net profit jumped by almost 2/3 – to $ 2.16 billion, while the previous year the figure did not exceed 1.33 billion. Earnings per share amounted to 1.87 dollars per share against 1.14 dollars a year earlier. Such results were much better than the market forecasts – average investors’ expectations for revenue were $ 17.8 billion, and for operating profit per share, $ 1.41 (actual value is $ 1.44). As a result, the company’s shares at the opening of trading on the day following the report’s publication grew by 0.6% to $ 52.10. NVIDIA Corporation is a leading American company dealing in graphics accelerators and processors and developer of system logic. Over the years, the share of NVIDIA in the market of discrete graphics cards has grown from 70.5% to 72.5%. AMD’s share decreased from 29.5% to 27.5%. NVIDIA’s shares are growing rapidly, and the “mania of mining,” which will bring big profits to video card manufacturers, plays an important role in this. Today NVIDIA shares may seem expensive, but investors should understand that the chip manufacturer has enough trump cards in its sleeve. This year, analysts forecast an increase in NVIDIA revenues and profits by 19% and 20%, respectively. The company has a lot of development opportunities. Although its shares may temporarily slow down or fall in price, they have enough potential for long-term growth. Finally, American Express Company (Amex) is an American financial corporation that provides mainly consumer finance services for the issue and maintenance of payment and credit cards. American Express works with both individuals and legal entities. In the world, the number of branded cards issued by the company is 88 million pieces, and their turnover for nine months of 2016 exceeded $ 750 billion. We expect that the company’s ROE will exceed 25%, while the result of 2017, according to our estimates, should be lower than the result of the 2016 year due to one-time incomes received in the past year.

2.3 The passive selected portfolio (P3)

For this portfolio, the selected companies include AT&T, Medley Capital Corporation, Pennant Park Investment Corporation, and Hercules Capital. The first company in P3 is AT&T. This is a telecommunication company whose headquarter is in Dallas, Texas, in America. The company is the largest global telecommunication company that provides both local and regional telephone services. The company is also the largest supplier of direct satellite broadcasting in the U.S. through DirecTV. It takes 18th place in the list of the largest cellular operators in the world with 135 million subscribers. It has the highest dividend yield among Dow Jones components – about 5.2%. The company successfully develops, generates solid cash flows, and carries out buyback programs. In the first quarter of 2014, earnings per share increased by 11%. Free cash flow for shareholders was $ 3 billion. Dividends for the first quarter were $ 0.46 per share; they steadily increased during the last decade. Medley Capital Corporation is an investment company whose objective is to generate income while investing in capital products either directly through lending or buying securities from private companies in North America. The corporation has helped develop small and medium companies to expand their operation through financing or acquisition. The majority of its investment assures warrants and other beneficial equity participation characteristics, which the company uses as a strategy to achieve its positive investment returns. The company’s total value of the investment has been growing with the end of F.Y. 2017 amounts to $835.9 million. This is associated with over 68 portfolio investments in different companies with senior secured loans account 67% as first-lien, senior secured lien amounts to 12.7%, while warrants or equities constituted 20.3%. The next company is PennantPark Investment Corporation. From inception in 2007 to the end of 2017, PennantPark deployed approximately $7 billion into over 500 companies with more than 180 sponsors. The company operates with different subsidiaries with PennantPark Investment Corporation and PennantPark Floating Rate Capital, Ltd., Forming the company’s publicly traded businesses. As of the end of the financial year 2016, the company had invested over $229.3 million in different portfolios with a yield of 11.2% of the investment. Finally, Hercules Capital is among the P3 companies selected. The company has been growing with different motives as driven by the vision of serving the needs of entrepreneurs and public investors, as highlighted by the CEO and the founder chairman of the company in the year 2003. The company strives for alternative investment opportunities that stimulate a good venture in the world market. To achieve the strategy, built of Hercules Capital, which was publicly traded were essential and consequently led to listing in NYSE as a Business Development Company(BDC) as an enterprise having an excess value of $1.6 million, with a market cap of $1.0 million. The company is globally recognized as the largest non-bank source of financing for entrepreneurs to accomplish their goals and expand their capital base.

3.0 Portfolio Analysis

This section provides an in-depth analysis of the portfolio for purposes of evaluating the portfolio Risk, Return, variance, and standard deviation while making a comparison with other portfolios, that is, P1, P2, and P3. Under each type of portfolio, the selected stocks are analyzed using different approaches. It is noted that the selected stock in each portfolio varies from others since they were picked from different sectors in the stock market. The data used for analysis utilizes the financial year 2020 historical data obtained from the website. The following is my actively selected portfolio(P1):

Name of Company	Company’s Appreciation	Closing prices (2020), $	Number of shares	Position $	Proportion of Share in portfolio
Best Buy	BBY	115	259	19471	1.8%
Microsoft	MSFT	232	7560	610260	56.8%
Boeing	BA	214	565	188427	17.5%
Walmart	WMT	148	2830	256260	23.9%
Total	1074418	100.0%

Calculating portfolio parameters To effectively compute the portfolio parameters, return and risk of the portfolio, the study utilizes the weekly prices uploaded from historical data of each stock and S&P index for the financial year 2020. The changes in parameters and the entire portfolio, thus calculated for the report analysis.

	Prices ($)	Changes (%)
Date	BBY	MSFT	BA	WMT	S&P	BBY	MSFT	BA	WMT	S&P
10/12/2020	119.35	219.66	167.35	144.71	3462.25
10/19/2020	118.21	216.23	167.36	143.85	3451.75	-0.96%	-1.56%	0.01%	-0.59%	-0.30%
10/26/2020	111.55	202.47	144.39	138.75	3264.75	-5.63%	-6.36%	-13.72%	-3.55%	-5.42%
11/2/2020	123.06	223.72	157.74	145.77	3500.75	10.32%	10.50%	9.25%	5.06%	7.23%
11/9/2020	114.30	216.51	187.11	150.54	3582	-7.12%	-3.22%	18.62%	3.27%	2.32%
11/16/2020	119.14	210.39	199.62	150.24	3554.25	4.23%	-2.83%	6.69%	-0.20%	-0.77%
11/23/2020	112.63	215.23	216.50	151.60	3636.5	-5.46%	2.30%	8.46%	0.91%	2.31%
11/30/2020	108.86	216.21	213.01	152.64	3660.5	-3.35%	0.46%	-1.61%	0.69%	0.66%

The expected returns are measured from weekly returns. The risk element of stock or portfolio is measured in terms of standard deviation from the portfolio theory. Therefore utilizing the above stock parameters and the S&P index parameters, we can compute the expected returns and the standard deviation.

Company	Share in portfolio	Expected Returns(Ri)	Variance	Standard Deviation (s)
Best Buy	1.8%	-1.31%	0.39%	6.24%
Microsoft	56.8%	-0.23%	0.28%	5.31%
Boeing	17.5%	3.45%	1.02%	10.12%
Walmart	23.9%	0.76%	0.08%	2.75%
S&P		0.80%	0.14%	3.81%

Calculating the Risk and Return for Portfolio The purpose of creating a portfolio by investors is to achieve optimal investment by diversification of non-systematic risks. The comparison of average risk and return is essential in analyzing a well-performing stock and shares’ sensitivity to market parameters. To determine our stock’s performance with respect to the S&P index, we compute the correlations between the stocks.

	BBY	MSFT	BA	WMT
BBY	1.000	0.514	-0.424	-0.237
MSFT	0.514	1.000	0.124	0.359
BA	-0.424	0.124	1.000	0.934
WMT	-0.237	0.359	0.934	1.000

The portfolio risk is given by the formula; R_P= SW_i *R_i Where W_i is the weight of stock i, R_i is the returns stock i Table 1

Company	Share in portfolio	Expected Returns(Ri)	Wi*Ri
Best Buy	1.8%	-1.31%	-0.024%
Microsoft	56.8%	-0.23%	-0.128%
Boeing	17.5%	3.45%	0.604%
Walmart	23.9%	0.76%	0.182%
RP	0.634%

The return our portfolio(Rp) is 0.634%. This imply that, our portfolio is not good since it is less than the S&P index (1.83%). To evaluate if our portfolio is optimal is calculate the portfolio risk. The portfolio risk as measured by the standard deviation is computed as follows. Step 1: Determine the weights of the stock Step 2: Determine the Expected returns The first two steps presented in above table 1. Step 3: Establish Variance Covariance Matrix

	BBY	MSFT	BA	WMT
BBY	0.00334	0.001908	0.000926	0.000643
MSFT	0.001908	0.002418	0.001914	0.000965
BA	0.000926	0.001914	0.008785	0.001978
WMT	0.000643	0.000965	0.001978	0.000648

Step 4: Compute the standard deviation The portfolio variance from the above computation is given by 0.001947. The standard deviation is the square root of portfolio variance, that is, 0.044128. Therefore, comparing to S&P index of 1.83%, our portfolio is better off and thus less risky than the S&P index.

3.1 Sharpe ratio (SR)

This is a measure of excess return over a unit of risk.

Company	Expected Returns(Ri)	Risk(s)	Risk-free Rate(Rf)	Sharpe Ratio(SR)
Best Buy	-1.31%	6.24%	0.1%	-22.7%
Microsoft	-0.23%	5.31%	0.1%	-6.1%
Boeing	3.45%	10.12%	0.1%	33.1%
Walmart	0.76%	2.75%	0.1%	24.1%
Portfolio	0.63%	0.04%	0.1%	1213.6%
S&P index	-1.10%	4.80%	0.1%	-25.0%

Using this analysis, investors should choose stock with a higher SR since it assures a higher excess return for every unit of risk undertaken. Therefore, in our portfolio, Boeing is the optimal choice.

3.2 Markowitz Portfolio

Markowitz’s portfolio theory provides a trade-off mechanism for risk tolerance and reward expectations for a given portfolio taking into account the goal of maximizing the returns at a minimum level of risk while diversifying the other securities. The theory assumes that investors are risk-averse and prefer less risky portfolio for any given returns(Mangram, 2013). Using this theory, the analysis utilizes efficient frontiers of a portfolio where the only portfolio under feasible points is considered optimal. To effectively make this analysis, the report takes a randomly selected portfolio and tries to establish the maximum return of the portfolio. First, I compute the individual stock’s expected returns as shown below. Computing the Individual stock risk and return

Step 1: Determine the expected returns

	Prices ($)	Changes (%)
Date	CIT	MET	NVDA	AXP	CIT	MET	NVDA	AXP
10/12/2020	25	39.28	552.46	104.91
10/19/2020	31.3	40.94	543.61	100.98	25.20%	4.23%	-1.60%	-3.75%
10/26/2020	29.45	37.85	501.36	91.24	-5.91%	-7.55%	-7.77%	-9.65%
11/2/2020	31.97	40.48	582.48	96.69	8.56%	6.95%	16.18%	5.97%
11/9/2020	34.35	44.74	531.88	114.99	7.44%	10.52%	-8.69%	18.93%
11/16/2020	34.6	45.87	523.51	112.58	0.73%	2.53%	-1.57%	-2.10%
11/23/2020	34.46	47.45	530.45	120.59	-0.40%	3.44%	1.33%	7.11%
11/30/2020	34.41	46.91	535.6	119.93	-0.15%	-1.14%	0.97%	-0.55%

Company	Expected Return (Ri)	Weight(w)
CIT	4.56%	0.8792
MET	2.54%	0.0000
NVDA	-0.44%	0.0000
AXP	1.91%	0.1208
Total		100%

Step 2: Computing the Covariance matrix

	CIT	MET	NVDA	AXP
CIT	0.002364	0.002565	0.001795	0.003375
MET	0.002565	0.003249	0.001268	0.004527
NVDA	0.001795	0.001268	0.006296	0.000461
AXP	0.003375	0.004527	0.000461	0.007329

Step 3: computing the portfolio risk and standard deviation

Portfolio return is 0.0424346, it is noted that the initial portfolio return equivalent to zero since the weights of stocks are zero. The calculated portfolio risk is equal to 0.002486 implying a minimum risk, and good investment opportunity. To conclude the comparison, using the same criteria, I analyzed the passive portfolio. The passive portfolio comprise the stock of T, MCC, PNNT, and HTGC.

	Prices ($)	Changes (%)
Date	T	MCV	PNNT	HTGC	T	MCV	PNNT	HTGC
10/12/2020	27.33	23.11	3.16	11.63
10/19/2020	27.82	24.35	3.08	11.53	1.79%	5.37%	-2.53%	-0.86%
10/26/2020	27.02	24	2.91	11.2	-2.88%	-1.44%	-5.52%	-2.86%
11/2/2020	27.44	23.35	3.02	11.4	1.55%	-2.71%	3.78%	1.79%
11/9/2020	28.91	23.46	3.29	12.43	5.36%	0.47%	8.94%	9.04%
11/16/2020	28.32	24.44	4.26	12.89	-2.04%	4.18%	29.48%	3.70%
11/23/2020	29.03	24.19	4.6	13.61	2.51%	-1.02%	7.98%	5.59%
11/30/2020	28.87	24.69	4.48	13.54	-0.55%	2.07%	-2.61%	-0.51%

Covariance Matrix

	T	MCV	PNNT	HTGC
T	0.000681	-0.000079	0.000033	0.000702
MCV	-0.000079	0.000756	0.000687	-0.000103
PNNT	0.000033	0.000687	0.009792	0.002293
HTGC	0.000702	-0.000103	0.002293	0.001387

Portfolio Risk and Standard deviation The portfolio return equals 0.009509, while the portfolio risk is equal to 0.000684. This depicts a lower risk for the portfolio.

3.3 Beta factor

The beta factor is an essential measure of the sensitivity of securities concerning the market. The factor is useful in the CAPM model as it describes the relationship between expected return and the overall systematic risk. This model is critical in the valuation of risky securities and making optimal decisions by risk averse investors (Bradfield, 2003). In essence, the beta depicts the swings in the market and the appropriate response for investment in such a security. The beta values of my portfolio are the calculated below.

	Share in portfolio	Beta
Best Buy	1,80%	0,14
Microsoft	56,80%	1,32
Boeing	17,50%	1,63
Walmart	23,90%	0,48

Beta portfolio	1,15

	Share in portfolio	Beta
CIT Group	2,44%	-1,02
MetLife	16,36%	1,02
NVIDIA	52,32%	1,53
American Express Company	28,87%	0,97

Beta portfolio	1,22

	Share in portfolio	Beta
AT&T	99,27%	0,42
Medley Capital Corporation	0,12%	0,35
PennantPark Investment Corporation	0,19%	1,43
Hercules Capital	0,42%	0,44

Beta portfolio	0,42

Beta values have different implications as they depict the stock’s volatility with respect to the whole market. If the value is 1, the portfolio sensitivity moves like that of the market, while a higher beta ( more than 1) implies greater volatility and high risk and vise versa for a lower beta. Besides, a higher beta implying high volatility of the stock and thus riskier has a great potential for high returns. On the contrary, the beta with a lower value is less risky but has low returns. 4.0 Conclusion The portfolio is a collection of securities with the aim of diversifying the systematic risk as proposed by the portfolio theory. The portfolio analysis is essential in evaluating the investment decision for different investors depending on their perceived risk attitude. The portfolio analysis is part of and parcel of managerial functions in maximizing shareholders’ wealth goals and thus demands well-informed choices. Therefore, strategic decisions in portfolio evaluation need focus and necessitates development and mapping for strategic portfolio change. The portfolio of projects consisted of projects and other related work in strategic implementation. These projects contribute to the organization of their mission and vision. Projects the projects’ portfolio was a priority based on their strategic importance, financial benefits, types of projects, the complexity of the project, the level of risk, and resource requirements. The Necessary project decision is essential and should be accepted, based on a separate adoption in accordance with the policy approval group before its implementation. These results can be used in further studies and improve the effectiveness of the portfolio. Therefore, a portfolio was created which will bring a real profit. Estimating the effectiveness of a particular portfolio includes a periodic determination of execution and implementation of the portfolio, taking into account cash flows received and the accompanying risk as evaluated with respect to the investor’s risk attitude.

References

Bradfield, D. (2003). Investment Basics XLVI. On estimating the beta coefficient. Investment Analysts Journal, 32(57), 47-53. Mangram, M. E. (2013). A simplified perspective of the Markowitz portfolio theory. Global Journal of Business Research, 7(1), 59-70. Author I need help with investment management assignment? worry no more. Alen Owen is an investment management assignment writer with advanced skills in portfolio construction and analysis and performance measurement. This portfolio management assignment solution was done by Alen Owen with assistance of financial analysis essay writers. Why struggle