Gantt Chart for Execution of House Construction Essay Example for Free

Gantt Chart for Execution of House Construction Essay The activity of house construction involves many stages which are spread over many months. The case study example taken for the preparation of Gantt chart is selected as it involves various stages and there are many people involved in different activities. These activities are interdependent on the performance of various work groups and can get delayed if not planned and executed timely. Thus I present a Gantt Chart that will assist and ensure effective working in order to obtain the end result as planned. Explanation of Gantt Chart (refer appendix) The overall activity has been planned for a time span of 9 months. The activities have been classified as follows Excavation (A) : This is the first stage where excavation for the house columns needs to be carried out. The lead time for this activity is one month. This is a process which is labor intensive and needs to be completed as per the architectural drawing. Other activities cannot be started before ensuring accuracy of the excavation work as the structure cannot be modified if desired at a later stage. Hence activity B , RCC cannot start before 100 % completion of activity A. In case during this phase it is realized that any delays could be caused in reaching the first milestone then additional workforce or earth moving equipment needs to be outsourced. RCC (B) (Reinforced Cement Concrete) : The lead time for this activity is three months. Once excavation is complete the next stage is of RCC which involves making columns and beams of the house. Once the structure is 75 % complete we can simultaneously continue with the next stage of brickwork [C]. The achievement of this milestone will not hamper activity C but due caution has to be exercised that the activity gets completed by the fourth month form the project starting date as it is the start of activity D and E. Brickwork (C) Along with brickwork the other activities Electrical (D) and Plumbing (E) also need to be commenced upon the completion of stage B and 50 % of stage C as the electrical pipes and fittings need to be covered inside the walls. Similarly toilets and kitchen requires plumbing to be done simultaneously. If the activity deviates from its planned lead time of two months then activity D, E and F will need to be carried out at an increased pace than its actual to cover up for the lag time. Electrical (D)and Plumbing (E) These stages can be executed simultaneously as they are not interdependent on each other . Once these are complete we can move on to the next stage. Plastering (F) After completion of electrical and plumbing work we can start with the internal plastering activity. However external plastering can be carried out when 50 % of stage D and E are complete. This is the third milestone. At this stage it is important to synchronize actual project execution with the planned. Tiling (G) Once plastering is 100 % complete then we can move on to Tiling Flooring work Painting (H) This is the final milestone to be executed after 100 % completion of activity G . Conclusion: Gantt chart gives a clear picture of the stages and helps in noticing any deviations and corrective steps can be implemented which in turn will not disrupt other schedules and help in achieving desired results in a cost effective and efficient manner. The case for buy Vs make is indeed a matter of individual capacities and judgment in the said example. By choosing to make as in the above case the maker gets freedom of choice and taste to suit his own needs. If activities are carried out with due diligence the project would be cost effective. Reference : Gantt Chart- Wikipedia, 19 October 2008, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Gantt_chart

The Debate Regarding the Use of Native American Mascots Essay -- Nativ

Teams in every sport, at every level of competition, have a mascot. It is the mascot that represents the competitive spirit and team identity, motivating players and fans alike. Does the symbol chosen as a mascot have any impact on whether a team wins or loses? Unlikely. But the choice of a Native American mascot continues to ignite debate and controversy among athletes, fans and alumni, as well as those people who might otherwise be disinterested in sports. Why all the controversy? The dispute over whether Native American mascots should be used as a team symbol dates back to the 1970’s (Price 2). There are those who are passionately against Native American mascots. These advocators insist that Native American mascots are degrading to the native population and the mascots do not represent the true identity of Native Americans. What they fail to realize is that this argument focuses entirely on the perception and predetermined judgment that any Native American mascot is discriminatory and dehumanizing. This is simply not the case. The proponents of Native American mascot use believe tribal mascots display honor and respect towards the Native American people. They cheer that the inclusion of Native American iconography in the athletic arena serves to pay admiration and ongoing tribute to the identity of the Native American culture. In a majority of cases, this view is even sanctioned by the tribes themselves (Morrison). Rather than extinguish Native American mascots as a symbolic reference for schools and sports teams, the choice to sensitively use such imagery should be without sanction. Doesn’t the restriction and ultimate elimination of the Native American mascot also abolish the nation’s historic view of Native ... ... Library, Wausau, WI. 16 Nov. 2014. . Morrison, Rich. â€Å"Special Interview: Rich Morrison Speaks Out in Favor of Native American Sports Mascots.† Issues and Controversies on File. 29 Mar. 2002. Issues and Controversies. Facts on File. Wausau East Library. Wausau, WI. 10 Nov. 2014. . â€Å"Native American Sports Mascots.† Issues and Controversies On File. 12 April. 2002. Issues and Controversies. Facts On File. Wausau East Library. Wausau, WI. 10 Nov. 2014. . Price, S.L. â€Å"The Indian Wars.† Sports Illustrated 4 Mar. 2002: 1-5. SI.com. 16 Nov. 2014. . Wieberg, Steve. â€Å"NCAA Ponders Future of Indian Nicknames.† USA Today 15 May. 2005. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. Wausau East Library, Wausau, WI. 16 Nov. 2014. .

An Analysis of Three Short Stories and Their Central Theme Essay

Throughout time, one of the most interesting social structures that is worth studying or analyzing would be the family. Needless to say, family plays a very important role in society-building since this is where all of us are able to find our respective identities. The three extraordinary works presented in this analysis will focus on the issue of family disharmony as well as the role of women in society during the earlier days of modern civilization. This particular analysis will look at three literary masterpieces crafted into perfection by three of the most distinguished women writers of our time:   Ã¢â‚¬Å"Women Hollering Creek† by Sandra Cisnerno, â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, and â€Å"Revolt of a Mother† by Mary E. Wilkins Freeman. â€Å"Woman Hollering Creek† was first published in Sandra Cisneros’s 1991 collection of short stories, Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories. The short story basically describes the lives of Mexicans who have crossed the border to live on †el otro lado† (376) — the other side—in the American Southwest. The main character in the story is Cleofilas, who is trapped in a constricting, culturally assigned gender role due to her linguistic isolation, violent marriage, and poverty. The author successfully weaves allusion to women in Mexican history and folklore –representing the same alienation and struggle being experienced by many women across the borders. As noted by one of the characters in the short story, Felice, there is clearly an existing domination of man over women in the culture they are in, and she goes about by noting â€Å"Did you ever notice how nothing around here is named after a woman? Really.   Unless she’s the virgin.   I guess you’re only famous if you’re a virgin†. (385) From this statement by Felice, we can see how lowly women are treated in the family structure.   Furthermore, it would appear from this statement that women are only valued that time based on certain physical qualifications (i.e. virginity) and not by their intrinsic value to the family. In this particular story, one striking point is the strong depiction of the author of a woman struggling to free herself from normal romantic expectations regarding domestic stability by choosing to leave her husband and finding herself in the process. The fact that the main character finds the strength to leave her family is a clear indication that family disharmony was very much existent in their home. The unequal treatment of women and the rigid gender structures at that time were clearly too much for the main character that she opted to break free from all these.   In fact, in one scene, Cleofilas laments the situation of women and the limited choices they have during her time saying â€Å"Tu o nadie. Somehow one ought to live one’s life like that, don’t you think?   You or no one.   Because to suffer for love is good.   The pain all sweet somehow.   In the end.† (377) In the short story â€Å"Everyday Use† by Alice Walker, the author basically tells the story of a mother’s conflicted relationship with her two daughters – a common scenario for any family, past or present. The issue of generation gap is clearly indicated in this story where the mother tries to explain to her two daughters the significance and representation of a particular quilt. What is an important piece of cloth to her is clearly nothing much to her two daughters, thus, creating family disharmony. As with many other stories by Walker, â€Å"Everyday Use† is narrated by the unrefined voice of a rural black woman, in the author’s attempt to give a voice to a traditionally disenfranchised segment of the population. Mama describes herself as a large, big-boned woman with rough, man-working hands.   â€Å"In the winter I wear flannel nightgowns to bed and overalls during the day.   I can kill and clean a hog as mercilessly as a man† (35). This description, along with her reference to a second grade education makes the reader understand that the main character takes pride in the practical aspects of her nature and that she has not spent a great deal of time contemplating abstract concepts such as heritage. However, her lack of education and refinement does not prevent her from having an inherent understanding of heritage based on her love and respect for those who came before her.   This is clear from her ability to associate pieces of fabric in two quilts with the people whose clothes they had been cut from: â€Å"In both of them were scraps of dresses Grandma Dee had worn fifty and more years ago.   Bits and pieces of Grandpa Jarrell’s Paisley shirts.   And one teeny faded blue piece, about the size of a penny matchbox, that was from Great Grandpa Ezra’s uniform that he wore in the Civil War.† (40) The quilts have a special meaning to Mama.   When she moves up to touch the quilts, she is reaching out to touch the people whom the quilts represent. One of the most important themes in ‘‘The Revolt of ‘Mother’’’ is the distinction and reversal of traditional gender roles. Sarah’s initial acceptance of Adoniram’s building of the barn, despite his 40-year-old promise of building her a house on that spot, shows the prevalent belief that her duty is to follow her husband. Though Sarah does express her feelings to her husband, when he refuses to speak about the matter, she lets the subject drop, and the barn goes up. Adoniram’s refusal to truly listen to Sarah’s concerns throughout the story are clearly shown in his last words: ‘‘Why, mother, I hadn’t no idea you was so set on’t as all this comes to.’’(12) Throughout the story, Sarah has tried to explain her feelings but, Adoniram is not accustomed to listening to his wife – as per the custom during those times. Just like the two earlier short stories, â€Å"Revolt of a Mother† by Mary E. Freeman also touches on the role of women in small New England towns during the late 19th century. In this particular story, Freeman’s emphasis lies more with the oppression and rebellion of women. She portrays the main character as insistent on receiving equal treatment from her husband –clearly conveying women’s lack of power during those times. In fine, this particular story focuses on the struggle of women everywhere to reach out and make her presence felt to the society she is living in, especially in the family where she is part of. I believe every woman would feel frustrated with the treatment being given to the protagonist in this particular story since she is practically ignored by her husband. These three short stories enable us to see how the family structure works during the periods covered in each. Unlike the structure that we have right now, it would appear that the role that each one plays in the family is dependent on two important factors: gender and seniority. Obviously, discord was evident in each of the relationships presented because of the rigidity of the family structure during this period. Women were not given much room to assert their rights and children were often expected to carry out the wishes of their parents regardless of their own beliefs or opinion. The three stories are also very noteworthy because they focus on the role of women in society. Women have always been viewed as the weaker sex, but as the three short stories prove, women are far more resilient than many male chauvinists would give credit for. In fact, the role of women has evolved over the past few centuries and gender roles have evolved quite dramatically over the past few years. Whereas the female characters in the three short stories are confined by the limitations of their gender, the modern woman now faces a myriad of opportunities waiting for her. I believe that reading stories such as the three classics mentioned above are very poignant in the sense that they allow us to see how far we have come in terms of accepting women and the very important role they play in the development of the society. As they always say, behind every successful man, is an even more successful woman.

Mathematics and Theology Blossoming Together - 628 Words

Mathematics and theology have blossomed together throughout history with many great mathematicians also being great theologians. However, in the modern scientific era, mathematics has become by and large secularized in mainstream academia. Although the secularization of mathematics seems to ignore mathematics’ metaphysical value, in truth, this secularization allows for mathematics to act as a universal tool and allows the individual to attach his or her own personal truths without marginalizing the beliefs of others, especially in education. In addition, attaching one’s personal beliefs to systems of math and logic may lead to contradicting interpretations of the material when taken into the larger context of society, such as with the concept of infinity, the meaning of truth and proof, or even the source of mathematics itself. In essence, the secularization of mathematics is a necessity in our modern dynamic world and in order for mathematics to maintain its effectiv eness as a universal tool our personal beliefs must not be attached to mathematics as a whole. To begin with, a proper definition of secularization is necessary in order to establish the correct connotation for the term. As denoted by the world renowned scholar in the study of the sociology of religion, Jose Casanova, secularization is spoken of in three senses: a.) Secularization as the decline of religious beliefs and practices in modern societies, often postulated as a universal, human, developmental