Volatile Organic Compounds in School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

volatile Organic Compounds in School - Essay ExampleVOCs, as the name suggests ar carbon compounds that lend themselves to becoming gases or vapors with relative ease. As such they be emitted in the surrounding environment. VOCs contain not just carbon, precisely a host of other common elements present in such compounds, including the following sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen, bromine, nitrogen, fluorine (US National Library of Medicine). The relative ease with which they argon released into the melodic line is attributed to the low boiling points of VOCs, pegged at below 100 degrees Celsius, lending them to be easily released into the ambiance as gases. Many of the VOCs in the environment are verbalise to be manufactured by man, as chemicals that are in lend oneself in manufacturing. Paints, refrigerants, pharmaceutical chemicals, adhesives, products derived from petroleum, and several other products require VOCs for their manufacture. Most often they are located in urban areas, ma king up the constituents of agents for dry cleaning, thinners for paint, solvents, and different kinds of fuels (US Geological Survey) The literature further notes that in urban places, VOCs are of greater concentration, and in spite of appearance that urban setting, VOC concentrations are almost always of greater magnitude in enclosed indoor environments as compared to outside environments, where VOCs tend to disperse into the greater atmosphere (United States Environmental Protection Agency). Meanwhile, the adverse health effects of short-run and long-run exposure to VOCs are well documented in the literature. They include asthma symptoms organism aggravated, dizziness, skin, nose, eyes and throat irritation, vomiting, cancer, impairment of the nervous system, and damage to internal organs, notably the liver and the kidney. Differing VOC types also have other specific adverse effects on human health. Benzene, a common VOC, is of special focus among health experts, for their preva lence, and for their known highly carcinogenic properties (Minnesota Department of Health US National Library of Medicine). II. Volatile Organic Compounds - Prevalence VOCs are more prevalent than is sometimes acknowledged, owing to their presence in a wide variety of manufactured products, and the wide use of such manufactured products in urban environments. This puts an increased risk of toxic harm to human beings living in urban areas. The list in the establishment is non-exhaustive, and to it can be added a large number of products that people may or may not already associate with VOCs furnishings for buildings, materials for buildings, printers and copiers present in the office, sham paper not containing carbon, correction fluid, adhesives, glues, markers, solutions used in photography, pesticides, materials used for cleaning, strippers of paint, lacquers and other paints (United States Environmental Protection Agency). In the home, meanwhile, it is hard to avoid VOCs as well , largely because they are incorporated into many of the products that are vital to the maintenance of households. As already mentioned above, materials that are used to make houses contain VOCs, which later escape into the air, both indoors and into the greater outside environment. Cosmetic products of all kinds, materials used by hobbyists of all kinds, waxes, paints, and the varnishings commonly applied to home furniture all contain volatile organic fertilizer compounds. Of course all sorts of fuels vital to maintaining homes all contain volat

Job Analysis and its Role in Human Resources Essay

Job Analysis and its Role in Human Resources - attempt ExampleThe importance of mull analysis to HR managers is very crucial that it has been called the building block of every(prenominal)thing their personnel does. Wright and Wexley (1985) reasoned out that the fact is that almost every human being resource management program requires some type of learning that is gleaned from job analysis. An appropriately executed job analysis could be beneficial for the company. This is because an brass instrument will be able to undertakeWork redesign-Often an plaque seeks to redesign work to make it more efficient or to meliorate quality. The redesign requires critical information about the existing job (s). In addition, preparing the redesign is similar to analyzing a job that does not yet exist.Human resource planning-As planners analyze human resource needs and how to meet those needs, they must have accurate information about the levels of skill required in mixed jobs, so ... Traini ng-Almost every employee hire by an organization will require training. Any training program requires familiarity of the tasks performed in a job, so that the training is related to the necessary knowledge and skills.Performance appraisal-An accurate performance appraisal requires information about how well each employee is performing in order to reward employees who perform well and to improve their performance if it is below standard. Job analysis helps in identifying the behaviors and the results associated with effective performance.Career planning-Matching an individuals skills and aspirations with career opportunities requires that those in charge of career planning know the skill requirements of the various jobs. This allows them to guide individuals into jobs in which they will succeed and be satisfied.Job evaluation-The process of job evaluation involves assessing the relative dollar value of each job to the organization in order to set up fair pay structures. If employee s do not believe pay structures are fair, they will become dissatisfied and may quit, or they will not see much benefit in striving for promotions. To put dollar values on jobs, it is necessary to get information about different jobs and compare them.Moreover, job analysis is also important from a legal standpoint. This is because the government imposes requirements related to equal utilisation opportunity. Detailed, accurate, objective job specifications help decision makers comply with these regulations by keeping the focus on tasks and abilities. These documents also provide evidence of efforts made to engage in fair employment practices. For example, to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission may look

Sonoco HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sonoco HR - Essay ExampleThe industrys shift towards a more knotty supplier that offers end to end packaging solutions made it hard for SONOCO to compete directly with its competitors until serious change are implemented in the party. In reception SONOCOs leadership implemented strategies designed to control cost that is juxtaposed to its new business model of generating top line growth. The strategy involves retooling its consumer packaging divisions to meet the boastfully demands of clients that is sensitive to consumer taste or preferences. The new business model practically granted more autonomy to the General Managers of each division in basis of managing his or her own talents pool despite the new business models demand for more cross functional cooperation to respond to the alive(p) customer needs. SONOCOs corporate culture is family-oriented, paternalistic, collaborative, and team oriented. Due to its long profitable history the company in its entirety tolerates underpe rformance so long as the company can afford it. But the employees are also extremely loyal to the company with majority of them enjoying tenures of more than 20 years. The companys employees pride themselves of universe able to set the phase in the packaging industry. The Issues Cindy Hartley was hired to assist SONOCO to support the strategies of DeLoach the companys CEO that is aimed at (1) increasing GMs accountability for talent management (2) distribute HR talent and support more evenly across the companys divisions and make HR systems and process consistent and (3) to hone HRs ability to provide customize strategic support to the GMs businesses. These priority areas are designed to align the presidency with the dynamic demands of the packaging industry. afterwards conducting a comprehensive assessment of SONOCOs HR needs, Hartley identified three priorities that she needs to resolve at once to respond to the challenge posed by DeLoach. First, the mechanical and arbitrary c ompensation and performance-management systems needed to be linked and made consistent and more accurately reflective of employee contributions to company performance. Second, the company needed to seduce an employee-development process to refine employees skill and to identify and develop deficient skills. Third, develop succession planning to identify and prepare the next generation of leaders was urgent. It would be prudent to ensure that whatever changes and initiatives that will be implemented by the organization it will also change the corporate culture and psyche of SONOCO to raise its continuous implementation (Devero, 2007). The onus should be geared towards continuous improvement through iterative compliance to dynamic policies and procedure of a learning organization (Senge, 2006). The transformation should also be complete that it will positively influence or impact the correct core values of the organization (Whiteley & Whiteley, 2006). Analysis of the issues SONOCOs still growth through acquisition of other companies over the years has contributed to the redundancy of several departments across divisions when the acquired companies were eventually consolidated to their respective divisions (DePamphilis, 2009). One of these departments is the HR department. practicable imperatives or requirements that call for expedient filling of positions to meet orders from customers also contributed to

Modern public life Essay Example for Free

Modern earthly concern breeding EssayModern Public life could non exist or agency properly with let on the Media In this look for I lead be argueing the above statement and arguing that without Media, advanced semi frequent life could not exist. I will first explain about key terms to help in the argument including explaining the take to being of the term Public Life. According to the Collins Dictionary The Public is people in common or the people of a particular place. Public is used to talk about the feelings and behaviours of people in worldwide. If someone is a normal figure or is in public life, they be well known.Public is used to talk about things being said or done so that everyone set up run across them or see them. What is meant by the term Public Life is a space where a body of people can come together to discuss issues relating to their group. These groups can be very sm altogether like a book club or large like the United Nations and they can discus s anything from the modish Bryce Courtney novel to world peace. Geoffrey Craig in his book The Media Politics and Public Life explains the concept of public life as .. A body of people within a society and a domain within which debate about that society occursThe public is also a subject, and people come together as a public in modern times when they engage in developments of the events, the stories and the debates that circulate in the society. (2002. P49) Public life occurs where private issues ar brought to the attention of the general public through the use of the media. Without out the media it would be private life, not public life. Media, as defined by the Collins dictionary is the plural of intermediate which is a means of communicating or teaching something. When we talk about the media we do not just use traditional forms of media like newspapers, television and wireless but we also use other forms of media like movies, the net, transnationals companies and communic ation technologies. All of these forms of media are sites where the meanings of public life are played out, debated and evaluated. Our every twenty-four hours lives could not function properly without the media. Media is a drug that we cannot live in a democratic society without. We listen to the radio on the way to work to hear the handicraft reports and to know where the multi-novas are hidden.When election time comes, we cant invite John Howard round for dinner to discuss his policies so we rely on the media to draw us them through television radio and newspapers. When a cyclone is coming our way, how do we know to lock up the mansion house or leave town? The media inform us. til now the very early smoke signals were a form of media, a form of communication. It is important to stress here that there is no way that public life could function without the use of the media as the understandings of our society, the norms and values of the world in which we live are the products o f living in a mediated world.We as a public only ever see the representations of a prisonbreak story through the television or in the paper. We rely on the media to tell us breaking stories that are happening around the world because of our geographical locations. John Hartley (1992 P1) has noted while the public domain and the public dont exist as spaces and assemblies, the public realm and the public are still to be found, large as life in the media. Television, popular newspapers, magazines and photography, the popular media of the modern period, are the public domain, the place where and the means by which the public is crated and has its being. In talking about public life we must clarify the notion of having a public sphere. By public sphere we mean any activities that occur in the public eye or that is brought to the attention of the public through the media. Habermas argues that the original public spheres originated with the early Bourgeois movement in the tea houses, libr aries and reading societies in England. It was here where people gathered to discuss issues concerning their lives and the society in which they lived. What made this a public sphere was that the people were all gathered in one place discussing issues that were relevant to them.Although this was regarded as one of the original democracies that were a voice for the people, Habermas also understood that the early tea house publics were not totally representative of the communities for which they were fighting for. In the early days women were not included in the tea house discussions, also, only a legitimate class of people were allowed to enter the tea houses and those that could not read would not need to go to reading houses or libraries. Of course those that could not travel to these public events had no said either.This limited the voice of the people to only those that were upper-class, well educated men that could travel. This was not representative of the wider communities. T he next stage in the growth of public life was when the printing presses made literature avail equal to the mass public. This literature was free from state control and was the newest site for public life to be played out on. Of course if you were illiterate the medium was useless but for those that could read and had access to the literature a new public was formed. The reading public was not tied by geographical restrictions.The development of film was again a new medium that with it brought a new public. By now we father to understand that there are a huge amount of publics that all have their own issues to debate. A person can be part of a number of publics at one time. She may be a single mother, working at the supermarket, she is part of the conservative party, is a part of a sci-fi reading club, she buys Thai cooking books, buys red wine and goers to wineries, is part of a mothers group at day care, has a network of other single friends on the internet and is part of a unio n at work.All of these publics want very specific things and all lobby for different things, the private issues become public when they are played out through the different types of media. Without the media the issues would not be brought into the public spotlight and would likely not be resolved. It is essential to point out that modern public life is played out through our media consumption and not through our everyday experiences. We collectively watched the September 11 attacks through our televisions, listened to the disaster adulterate on our radios and read about and saw the pictures of the devastation in newspapers.Without these sites we would not have experienced it at all. This highlights the fact that we rely on the media to get reading that would not readily be available to us. Peter Dahlgren argues that the public sphere is not just a marketplace for ideas or an information exchange fund but also a major societal mechanism for the production and circulation of cultur e. This idea of the media framing culture is very important because it croaks the media great power to give meaning to our identities. Culture, which consist of ideas, customs, norms, values and attitudes are shared by the people of a particular country.Campaigns that promote a type of culture are often produced by government and portrayed through various media outlets. Popular campaigns that frame our culture are the domestic effect ad Australia says NO to domestic violence and the drink driving campaign, that enforce that fact that those things are going against our culture and that that type of behaviours is not accepted. These campaigns are dependant on the media getting the message out there. The main media technologies that are responsible for the communication of public news are television, radio and print and these all function as journalism.These are seen as the closely dependable sources of information as they are governed by laws that protect privacy, defamation and the use of misleading information. Journalisms main role is to seek the truth and tell the masses. Although these forms of media are self regulated (to be free of outside influence) their guidelines that journalists have to abide by are strict to keep the freedom to self regulate. Television is the to the highest degree powerful mass medium and is an absolute must in every household. In my house alone there are four televisions and there are only 2 people living there.A productivity commission report found that Australias spend over 20 hours per week or 36% of their leisure time watching television(Productivity Commission 200, P62). The ability to actually see an event or person and hear them speak makes television the to the highest degree trustworthy of the media outlets. Politicians often measure the success of a campaign on the presentation of their image/policy/media events. Although television has taken over from the print media as the most popular type of news media, many a rgue that the print media are the most influential mass medium for political debate.Agenda setting for the day is mostly done by the quality morning newspapers. Newspapers are often more detailed in their dissemination of public life because they are not restricted by the time factor that is TV. Radio is the secret weapon in the fight for a public life. The radio doesnt have the ability to show the audience an event or doesnt even give them a chance to read about an issue but it is the most pervasive forms of media as it can be listened to whilst driving or doing the housework. Politicians often use talkback radio as a direct link to the public.It is often the closet the general public will get to speaking with high profile players. Because the media is the chief agency to communicate public life and the world that we know is based on the representations of the media, there is oft scrutiny placed on the authenticity of the stories that are shown to us. In Australia there are laws t hat ensure that one source does not have monopoly over the nub of our media, Australias former prime minister Paul Keating put it best when he said that the cross ownership laws meant you could be a prince of print or a queen of screen but not both.This means that one person will not be in control of all of the media of our country and so a true representation of societys issues would be presented by the media. Again without the media, Australia would not be able to be a democratic society and have a public life. Through many different sites issues and events are played out and become open to the scrutiny of the general public. These different issues and events create discussion amongst the people that read or hear about them and this is what is meant by a public life.People that are hundreds of miles away from each other can be discussing the same issues without even having to talk to one another. These systems of communication enable us to live in a democratic society, a society where we can chose who leads us in government and we can discuss issues relating to our society. This would not happen if wasnt for the role of the media. Without the media to portray issues and events we would never hear about a sale on in the city or about governmental policy that is set to affect us all. Public life as we know it would not be able to function properly without the media.ReferencesCraig, Geoffrey. Chapter 1, 2 and 3. The Media, Politics and Public Life. Victoria Allen and Unwin, 2004. Cunningham, Stuart and Graeme Turner. The Media and Communications in Australia. St Leonards, Sydney Allen and Unwin, 2002. Dahlgren, Peter. Television and the Public Sphere Citizenship, Democracy and the Media. London Sage, 1995 Grossberg, Lawrence, Ellen Wartella and D. Charles Whitney. The Media and the Public. Media Making mound Media in a Popular Culture. Thousand Oaks, CASage, 1998. 357-374 Habermas, Jurgen. The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere An Inquiry into t he Category of Bourgeois Society.Trans, T. Burger. Cambridge Polity, 1992. Scannell, Paddy. Public service bare and modern public life Media, Culture and Society. 11(1989)135-166. Thompson, John. The Media and the Development of the Modern Societies The Media and Modernity. Cambridge Polity Press, 1995. 44-69 Wark, McKenzie. Celebrities, culture and cyberspace the light on the hill in a post-modern world. Sydney infernal region Press, 1999. 128-136 http//malagigi. cddc. vt. edu/pipermail/icernet/2004-January/002743. html http//www. zip. com. au/athornto/thesis2. htm http//www. gseis. ucla. edu/faculty/kellner/kellner. html.

Aristotle vs Platonist Essay Example for Free

Aristotle vs Platonist EssayAristotle and Plato were two men with different theories. Although they had some aspects in common, each had their understandings and inwardnesss. Here I will explain what were their beliefs and how these philosophers interpreted each joint with its true value. Also with the information, I will try to undercover the meaning of why people used to say people were born either as a Platonist or as a Aristotelian. Between these two philosophers their were differences of character, temperament, background, and affable attitude. Their philosophic belief on the other hand was similar in words but not in action.Let us see why and what am I referring to (Grube). Also, let us choose if we are a Aristotelian or a Platonist and why they say people were born this or that. Virtue is a word that both used to use in their philosophic belief, but, as I said before, the actions were different. To begin with, Aristotles used to describe this word to a action that they have might not even have had the opportunity to chose themselves when they were young. In the norms, help by teachers, parents, and even the government the development of tight-laced habits was to be made from each persons childishness.This would eventually lead to a better community and for that, better and educated environment. Not only would an adult with this sense of virtuousness like this be wise to use courage, friendship, justice and other characteristics developed during childhood in a proper steering but that is what is required to be good and act when adults. The help is what makes you better when educated young in childhood (Wiki). As mentioned before, Aristotle has different theories than Plato. He suggests that the forms puke be discovered through a examination of the world cosmos natural.Now, Plato believes that forms are farther than what humans can understand, it is way beyond. What Platonist ethics is all about is the Form of the Good. For him, virtue is kn owledge. The soul, being divided in three parts, which are spirit, reason, and appetite have their share. Then, we have three virtues which are wisdom, moderation, and courage. What makes all of those be together and united is the virtue of justice. This makes the hightail it be the perfection by each part of the soul is performed. Platonism is identified by the persons soul and describes idea prior to matter unlike peripateticism (Wiki).To my conclusion, looking at both Aristotelian and Platonist I agree with Platonist belief. While Aristotelian believes that virtue comes through this world as we see it, Plato goes beyond and knows that it is way beyond the eyes of the humans. I think that each person is up-brought differently and for that I believe that all humans have different point of finds. My view is Platonist. I am a person that believes and does not have to see it with my own eyes. I do think its important to be educated from childhood but I believe in second chances.Ever yone can change and it does not matter if it will be only when you are an adult. Virtue is something that can be used in all phases o life. That is my conclusion on why I was born as a Platonist and not as a Aritotelian. Work Cited Aristotelian Ethics. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Inc, 2 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. . Grube, G. M. A. Platonist and Aristotelian. Pheonix. Classical Association of Canada, 1947. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. . Platonism. Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Inc. , 12 Nov. 2010. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. .

Asian Contributions Essay Example for Free

Asiatic Contributions EssayMany years ago, the laws of the United States prohibited Asian immigrants from entering the country. This law was eventually revoked and in 1952 legislation passed that allows people of all races to become United States Citizens. According to the U.S. Embassy website (n.d.), today Asian Americans are one of the speedy growing ethnic groups in the country, currently approximately fifteen million people of Asian descent live in the United States (para. 2). This paper give examine the influences these growing Asian-American communities put on on the social and cultural structure of American society. According to an article by Lam (2009), Asian cultures have evolved and fully integrated into the American culture in the twenty-first century to the extent it is often non-Asian Americans who practice and promote Asian cultures (para. 9). Asian Americans are individuals whose ancestries and backgrounds originate in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Asian Am erican communities and their cultural influences have made their mark on the social and cultural structure of American society. From herb tea practice of medicine to acupuncture, the Asian American impact is visible in numerous aspects of American society.Medicine Herbal medicine and acupuncture are an alternative medicine for pain management that originated in the Asian culture. This along with meditation and Indias yoga as well as herbal massage therapy are viewed as a holistic approach to health and stress management.Exercise Tai chi chuan as it is known is an ancient Chinese exercise that has been adopted by Americans as a graceful form of exercise. Tai chi as it is known in America focuses on deep breathing and focused movements. This exercise that has been equal to American societies is also used as a formof martial arts.Martial Arts Asian Americans have influenced American societies with the internalization of martial arts into American culture. From Jiu Jitsu to Judo t o Karate or Mixed Martial Arts all are types of defensive training that remains prominent in Asian American communities.Asian cuisine It is difficult to travel in any part of the United States without encountering some type of Asian cuisine. Some of the most presumable restaurants are Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese. This Asian style of cuisine has offered Americans such dishes as fried rice, chow mein, egg rolls and teriyaki. Not to mention that many American homes now have woks as part of their kitchen utensils in order to prepare Asian dishes at home.Religion While the largest portion of the Asian American population is Christian in that respect are still some members that slide by to recognize the religion of their homeland. This religiously diverse ethnic group has contributed to the growth of Hinduism and Buddhism among American societies and cultures. As stated by Lam (2009) according to a survey completed in 2003, thirty percent of Americans state they are famil iar with the Buddhist teachings and twenty-two percent ingest to be acquainted with Hinduism (para 23).This author is unfamiliar with the concept of Asian American television networks, periodicals or magazines however it is uncommon to tune into a Saturday morning sketch network without seeing the Japanese animes dominating these stations. It is the consensus of this essayist that the Asian American communities have in the past throughout their immigration to the United States and will continue to influence the cultural and structural framework of American society.ReferencesLam, A. (2009). From philosophy to food, Asian culture inspires americans. RetrievedDecember 21, 2012. From www.america.govUnited States Embassy. (n.d.). Retrieved December 22, 2012. Fromwww.usembasy.de/society-asians.htm

Needs Assessment And Its Analytic Tools Information Technology Essay

involve judging And Its Analytic Tools Information Technology EssayThis track is ground on explore onto Needs mind and its analytic tools. In addition, this paper critic on the wholey examines the nature and role of bespeaks assessment as a tool in consulting practice.Needs AssessmentA Needs Assessment is a systematic exploration of the way things ar and the way they should be. These things be commonly associated with organizational and/or individual performance (Stout, 1995).A motifs assessment should be designed to identify and prioritize needfully, while a need analysis should break and set need into its component parts and determine solution requirement. Practical and pragmatic postulate assessments provide a process for identifying and prioritizing gaps amidst sure and sought after cores (Kaufman, 1979).Need Assessment is defined as an investigation, undertaken to determine the nature of performance problems in order to establish the underlying causes and the way in which training can be addressed. Goldstein (1993) describes need assessment as the phase of the instructional process that provides the tuition necessary to design the entire program. A training gap is defined as the fight between the required standard of the job and incumbents performance. Need identification is the starting point in every training and development activity. Need identification or assessment is not a routine function, because it should conduct c arefully and in a diagnostic manner.The assessment begins with a need which can be identified in several ways but is gener all toldy described as a gap between what is periodly in place and what is needed, now and in the future. The purpose of a training necessitate assessment is to identify performance requirements or needs within an organization in order to help operate resources to the areas of broadest need, those that closely relate to fulfilling the organizational goals and objectives, improving productiv ity and providing quality products and services. Indeed, there are various reasons why needs assessment is not conducted as it is described as being a difficult process, time consuming and lack of resources in carrying out the tasks (Miller Osinski, 1996). On the other hand, Desimone and Werner (2002) argued that incorrect assumptions are usually made about needs analysis being unnecessary because the available reading already specifies what an organizations needs are. According to Miller and Osinski (1996) the needs assessment is the front step in the establishment of a training and development Program. It is utilise as the metrical unit for determining instructional objectives, the selection and design of instructional programs, the execution of the programs and the evaluation of the training provided. These processes form a continuous cycle which always begins with a needs assessment.A needs assessment is a systematic methodology utilize to locate the need forward we int ervene with the solution. The assessment helps us to locate the gaps in the plan of action or the existing strategy and helps us manage at the micro and macro levels. A needs assessment is carried out for an individual, an organization, team and even society issues. Some of the scenarios where needs assessment is wide used are organization development, disease outbreak, war/terrorism, drug abuse, poverty, sports etc. Needs assessment gives us a fair amount of insights about the touch that we are dealing with, before we go ahead and intervene. Gap could be easily determined with the use of analytical tools possessed by Needs assessment. They are used to identify strategic priorities, define results to be accomplished, guide decision related to actions considered and creates an evaluation criterion to judge the success and to a fault have incessant improvement within the organization (Stout, 1995).Models of Needs AssessmentThere are plenty of diametric postures proposed by the emi nent researchers. Needs assessment sit arounds are based on the variety of profession and applications. All the diametric copys and a small description of these models are mentioned belowArthurs Performance Evaluation Matrix(Arthur, L.1993. Improving package Quality. New York John Wiley and Sons)The context of Arthurs Performance Evaluation Matrix is usually used for the development or improvement of softwares. Bottom to top assessment is what this model emphasizes on. The assessment begins with very end-users untold(prenominal) as the customers and suppliers. The model deals with identifying the defects created in the cycle and usage of data to identify the causes of the defects. It does not answer the society or the organizational results, but focuses on the development and improvement of their products (Anonymous, Models, n.d)Burton and Merrills Four Phase Model(Burton, J. Merrill, P. 1998, Needs Assessment Goals, Needs And Priorities)Internal and External factors are reco gnized by this four phase model. Additionally, this model focuses on the application of needs assessment in the development of instructional materials at the level of a course and measuredly does not address societal and organizational results. It avoids the society and the organizational results, because the formers Burton and Merill believe that their assessment tool helps in development of instructional materials (Anonymous, Models, n.d).Gilberts Performance Matrix(Gilbert, T. 1978, charitable Competence Engineering Worthy Performance)The Performance Matrix, provided by Gilbert focuses on the process improvement. He provides two types of performance matrix, a Full scale model and a truncated version. The author believes that any research on performance needs to be carried out at the higher level. The author begins his discussion at the Philosophical level and then gets down to the Tactical and Logistical level and then the study is reduced to a Simplified performance matrix (A nonymous, Models, n.d).Gordons bet End Analysis ModelGordon, S. (1994)Systematic rearing Program Design Maximizing Effectiveness and Minimizing Liability. Englewood Cliffs, NJ Prentice Hall.This model identifies the unavailability of resources or any faulty condensedcomings. Gordons Front End Analysis Model can be used to document and analyze an individuals performance and cannot be extended to the societal or organization level (Anonymous, Models, n.d).Darraughs Six step Model(Darraugh, B. 1991. It takes six.(six step model). Training and development journal, v45, n3, p21)The Six step model is very much similar to the Rossetts Training needs assessment model. Darraugh provides a set of fifteen question for conducting the assessment. These questions orient towards the needs but are not determine the link to the societal, organizational or individual accomplishments. Therefore this model does not provide complete guidance in conducting the needs assessment (Anonymous, Models, n.d) .Ostroff and Fords Levels Perspective Model(Ostroff, C. Ford, J.K, 1989, Assessment training needs Critical levels of analysis)This model is based on the three content areas, Organizational, Task and Person given by Mc Gehee and Thayer. Ostroff and Fords model elevated the model to the succeeding(prenominal) level by introducing a Levels dimension, which includes Organizational sub-units and Individual. Twenty seven discreet analyses can be carried out based on the similarities and differences between each level. This model is considered to cover almost every possible theory (Anonymous, Models, n.d).Hannum and Hansens Needs Analysis Model(Hannum, W. Hansen, C. 1989, Instructional systems development in large organizations)Their model supports a top-down, societal needs assessment. Their model can be used to examine only an individuals performance and can be used to document the process insufficiencies. The model is unafraid on the research methods and helps to collect hard as w ell as soft data (Anonymous, Models, n.d).Johnsons Training Requirements Model(Johnson, D. 1996, Take two classes and call me in the morning the case for training wellness)Johnsons Training Requirement Model focuses majorly on the Training requirements planning. It does not focus on the performance problems. The model utilizes the Market recap to identify the desired training programs. Based on the survey, the requirements are to be Defined and Analyzed. The evaluation continues with short-term and long-term feedback (Anonymous, Models, n.d).All the above models are used widely. Analysis and the collected data is used to provide soulution, this are the major purpose of the above mentioned models of needs assessment.Reason for Needs AssessmentThe major reasons idler using Needs Assessment are as followsGives us the information of what will be accomplished.Expected changes in performance.Tactical solutions/requirementsEconomics involved (Stout, 1995) each kind of developmental init iative needs a lot of money to be invested. Some organizations tend to implement a solution in a hurry without considering whether they are the correct intervention. This will result in heavy losses, especially if it involves huge capital or operational expenditures. Organizational development programs are one such solution that needs a thorough analysis before any intervention is carried out. A wrong solution can result in loss of lot of money and at times destabilize the working atmosphere (Stout, 1995)Process of Needs AssessmentAccording to Stout. D (1995) the needs assessment is carried out as a Four Step ProcessStep 1 Perform a GAP analysisPerforming a gap analysis is the first stepping stone in performing needs assessment. Actual performance of the organization is checked and compared with the theoretical standards set already. This step involves,Analyzing the current situationThe current goals, internal and external constraints, environment and knowledge of the employees are determined. In short as the same suggests it analyzes the current overall situation of the organization.The desired situationThe desired conditions for the organizational and personal success needs to be identify. Jobs/tasks, the knowledge, skills and abilities required to attain that goal are the prime focus of this analysis.Gap between the current situation and the desired outcomes are identified once this step is completed. As we perform the GAP analysis, we look for the problems or deficits, impending charges, opportunities, strengths and different mandates such as government or foreign policies.SWOT analysis provides us with the Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats. Whereas, the PEST analysis provides us an insight into the Political, Economical, Social and Technological factors (Stout, 1995).Step 2 Identifying Priorities and ImportanceThe next step begins with the analysis of the collected data. Depending on the importance of the need which was achieved by step 1 the concerns are prioritized. Example Legal mandates and comprise effectiveness becomes a priority compared to the Executive pressures. We have to focus on those needs that have more value and will have a great impact (Stout, 1995).Step 3 Identifying opportunitiesMajor concerns and the development/improvement opportunities are indentified once the needs are prioritized. Solution for specific needs has to be canvass in this step. This step involves a detailed investigation and analysis at the organizational and individual level. This step not only enables the organization to handle the current situation but likewise prepares it for the future (Stout, 1995).Step 4 Implementation of solutions and growth opportunitiesThis is the final step and it involves the implementation of the solutions for the specific issues. Some of the solutions that can be implemented are,Training programPrograms such as one on one or group coaching, Mentoring, Classroom, Video learn, Workshops, Active learnin g, Vendor course, CBT etc. are considered as alternatives for solutions.Organizational Development programOrganizational Programs include, Strategic planning exercises, Organizational restructuring, Performance management and effective team shapeing are the different alternatives which are highlighted as solution alternates (Stout, 1995).Advantages and Disadvantages of Needs AssessmentThe table below summarizes the key advantages and disadvantages of major methods of assessing training and performance needs. The table below is used from (McCoy, McCoyTraining.com, n.d) which explains the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of needs assessment.MethodAdvantagesDisadvantagesOrganizational Documents Provide relevant, quantifiable data Fast Inexpensive may built managementInvolvement Dont build employeeinvolvement not necessarily focused onHRD whitethorn not identify causes May not provide visibilityQuestionnaire and Surveys Reach many people in shorttime cause involvemen t Relatively inexpensive Yield relevant, quantifiabledata that are easy tosummarize Anonymity may encourage reality Require time and skill todevelop Low response rates orinaccurate responses No opportunity to clarify May restrict independence ofresponse May lead to unrealisticexpectationGroup Interviews Build involvement andsupport Provide relevant data Provide visibility May elicit key topics notexpected On-the-spot sharing synthesis of different view sanely time-consuming(but less so than individualinterviews) Moderately expensive Difficult to conduct May be difficult to analyzeand quantify dataIndividual Interviews Build involvement andsupport Allow for glade Provide relevant data Easier to conduct than groupinterviews May uncover information thatwouldnt be brought up in agroup Expensive in terms of timeand travel costs Require interviewing skills May be difficult to analyzeand quantify results May make intervieweesself-consciousAdvisory Committees Build managementinvolvement and sponsorship Provide visibility Inexpensive Allows synthesis of opinionsof key decision-makers Can help identify resource long anddifficult to managelogistically Fails to build lower-levelemployee involvement Poor source of quantifiabledata May lead to groupthink orturf warObservation of Work Situations Builds employee involvement Provides excellent informationwhen coaching an individual Builds your credibility Generates relevant,quantifiable data May provide excellent stories Requires a skilled observer Does not involvemanagement Time-consuming May change performanceor be perceived as spying May be logistically difficultBenchmarking and Independent Research Learn from labor leadersand competitors Can build your credibility Availability of free data oninternet Avoid rediscovering what is know Does not build involvement May not be directly relevant Data from differentorganizations may bemisleading Requires significantAnalysisTable 1 Advantages and Disadvantages of Needs Assessme nt, change from Managing a Small HRD Department, by Carol P. McCoy. McCoy Training and Development Resources, 1993, p. 23.Needs Assessment as a tool for Consulting Practice and Critique for Best PracticesMethods of needs assessment can be classified into seven main types, each of which can take many different forms in practice. The different types of needs assessment approaches are as followsGap or discrepancy approachReflection on action friction match reviewObservationCritical incident reviewPractice reviewLearning for needs (Grant, 2001)According to Grant (2001) Peer review is rapidly becoming a favorite method for needs assessment. Grants report was accepted in 2001 by the National Center for Biotechnological Information. In peer review doctors assess each others practice and give feedback and perhaps advice about possible education, training or organizational strategies to improve performance. Internal, external, informal, multidisciplinary and physician assessment are the fiv e different type of peer review described in a good CPD guide. (Grant, 2001).However this peer review method for needs assessment comes with ample of drawbacks. Some of these drawbacks are mentioned belowDouble Blind system is rarely used due to its impracticality. Reputation of the author always have some impact on the way others judged the paper this is the most common accusation made. An stipulatory and poor paper written by an established researcher pass the review process whereas an excellent paper written by a parvenu and upcoming scientist can be rejected (Anonymous, Disadvantages of Peer review, 2008).Editors posses lots of decision making power who are very well connected by the author and referee. At times these authority possessed by the editors is misused. Many times their lots of omission by the editors and therefore, editors are often accused of arbitrarily rejecting manuscripts before they reach their readers (Anonymous, Disadvantages of Peer review, 2008).Source o f the researchers funding is one of the major conflicts of interest which needs to be spotted by the peer reviewers. However, the research is accepted if it follows all the researching protocols (Anonymous, Disadvantages of Peer review, 2008).Peer reviews have no grading system and different journals have their own standards. This makes it difficult to rank and judge the expertise and quality of the editors and reviewers (Anonymous, Disadvantages of Peer review, 2008).A consultant is hired by a company either during a time of distress or simply to improve an existing system. genuinely often it is due to the peer nature of the issue that an external source is required to conclude it. A consultant has a lot of pressure to solve the problems that he/she has been asked to look into. A Needs Assessment provides the consultant with insights to what he/she is going to deal with.A thorough needs analysis is essential for a large-scale learning initiative to succeed. Needs assessmentconsul tants will seamlessly work with your company to interview subject matter experts and other key stakeholders, diagnose the learning gaps and help you specify learning objectives that support your business goals.Consultation is a very tricky job. When a consultant is asked to address an issue, the credibility of that consultant is at stake. Since the money involved is high, an organization expects the intervention to work wonders for them. It is the consultants job to collect the required information by using a technique that suits the organization and also the issue that is dealt with.An issue can range from sales decline to rebellious employees to scandals. The test of choice depends upon the situation. A questionnaire can be used among the employees to get information about a sales drop, but a personal interview or focus group is required to address an issue such as a rebellion or a scandal.The best practices that should be followed by the consultants with regard to prove efficient and effective for its clients are as followsFirst of all the consultants need to familiarize themselves with the work environment and the culture of its clients before deciding on the method of research.The consultants need to have a different perception of its clients. existence bias would impact the performance and would hamper to analyze the problem effectively.While conducting interviews the consultants need to give enough space to the informants so that they could gather as much information as possible. Once the informants are comfortable the core of the problem could be identified.Proper mind mapping and stake holder analysis also gives a clear picture about the client and may help in further analysis of distortion which may be the reason of the clients issues.The questionnaires should be easy to understand and should not lead to conclusions. In addition, the consultants need to avoid use of buzz words and should simplify the question for easy and better spirit of the parti cipants.I would like to conclude that needs assessment is one of the most important tools for the consultants as it helps for evaluate the situation and gives an insight of the organization. Needs assessment forms the foundation for resolving clients problems as it helps to reach the core of the problem instead of artificial makeovers. The outcome of the consultants intervention has tremendous impact due to the approach, method or techniques used for needs assessment. It is the nervous system which helps to rectify the cause of distorted heart beat of the organizations body.