Miami International Airport Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Miami International Airport - Research Paper Example The airport has three terminals, North, Central, and South. Both the Central and South terminals handle international travelers. Although public transportation from MIA is difficult, taxis, shuttles, and rental cars are available. The Miami International Airport Hotel is located right inside the airport at Concourse E. The airport has over 80 airlines providing flights to over 150 destinations around the world. It occupies 3230 acres of land in downtown Miami with its terminal undergoing an expansion of more than seven million square feet through a capital improvement program to be completed in 2014 (MIA, 2013). The Miami international airport serves other aviation facilities such as the Kendall-Tamaini Executive airport. This airport is 15 minutes away from the business center of south Miami-Dade. The airport’s proximity to Biscayne national park, Florida Keys, and Everglades’s national park makes it the perfect destination for eco-tourism. Its primary business is recr eation and private flights serving as to relieve to MIA. MIA’s general aviation center managed by the Miami-Dade aviation department offers flights round the clock, every day. Its services are minor like telephones, public lounge with vending area and restrooms (Mobile Reference, 2010). It houses the US customs and border protection that clears arriving international flights including charter, cargo, and private. Another executive airport that closely relates with MIA is the Opa-Locka Executive airport that is located just 7 miles away from MIA. It is the largest of the general Miami -Dade county airports that handle private, cargo and business flights as a relief to MIA (FAA, 2013). Chapter 2: MIA’s Airside The Division Director of  Airside Operations is a 30-year veteran Lonny Craven. He ensures the safe day-to-day operations of MIA's airfield. He also ensures Part 139 Compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Above all, he is also responsi ble for all Airside Operations at MIA, including aircraft gate and apron control, the security and safety of aircraft , airside motor vehicle decal program, construction, cargo, aircraft parking, ramp, passenger loading bridges, access (FAA, 2013), Flight Information Display System (FIDS) and, motor vehicles and pedestrian traffic on the Aircraft Operations Area (AOA). The Airfield Operations Division of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department is divided into three different sections. These sections include Ramp Control, Aircraft Gate Control, and Access Control. Each of these Airside sections has a common goal but with distinct responsibilities and a staff reporting to the Division Director, Airside Operations. The three section's principal role is to promote the safe, secure, and efficient operating environment for passenger airlines, cargo airlines, a large General Aviation component, and all the ramp employees. The Ramp Control Section of Airside Operations ensures the safe operation of aircraft on the airfield. It also maintains the Airport's Certification; it reviews all runways, taxiways, and airport surface conditions for compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations, part 139. Ramp Control personnel  also monitor all construction activity in the Aircraft Operating Area (AOA) to ensure compliance with the Department's safety requirements. The Access Control Section monitors the access and movement of vehicles within the restricted areas. Access Control also administers the AOA decal

The Bread of Salt Essay Example for Free

The Bread of Salt Essay The pan de sal symbolizes the boy and by giving the task of buying the the pan de sal every morning to the girl, it shows how he is trying to escape from the reality so he could concentrate more on his dreams. He had wrongly regarded Aida as his world and thus it was painful to finally realize that he has no chance. He also had so many plans for Aida, including writing love letters and buying her a brooch. Unfortunately, how could one concentrate on his dreams if he is only at the aged of fourteen and has not even finished studying? Finally in the last part, the turning point of the story, where he hid the egg yolks dip in honey and peppermint in his pocket, he was caught by Aida. He has even thought of marrying Aida in the future. In the middle part of the story, the boy was relieved and was happy when he found out that her aunt brought a maid with her and that, his task of buying pan de sal every morning is now given to the poor girl. This just shows that no matter how hard he tries to hide his true self, it will eventually, one day, come out. These things clearly show that the boy was very much in love with Aida so much so that he forgot that in this world not all dreams really come true. revolves around them and this is why the young boy had a lot of dreams and plans. He had already felt like he was part of the higher class since he was invited to the party but the truth is, his not. Some can be full of joy and happiness others not but no matter what, the realities of this world often dictates what will and must happen. If from the very start, the boy had accepted the realities of this world, maybe he would not have been to hurt at the last part.

Strategies for Risk Management in Construction

Strategies for Risk Management in Construction 1.1 Introduction Risk management is one of the subfields on nine knowledge area in project management. Risk management is about managing uncertainty that inherent in most projects that require formal project management, using ‘uncertainty in the plain English ‘lack of certainty sense. Risk management also refer to a series of processes which are required for the identification, analysis, and reaction towards the projects risk in order to maximize the effects of positive uncertainty even and minimize the consequences of negative uncertainty even. Risk management also been organise in developed countries. This due to the risk management is better applied in the developed countries. Comparing with other countries with various situations, Malaysia is a developing country which the politic, economy, social and technology have mad specific risks especially related. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, the management of risk is not so systematic and requires more research and development. Malaysia seems to be developing countries because the demand for founding infrastructures is highly increasing. Currently, the government is enforcing the development plan. National economic will be burden if the plan is falling behind. This means that it is important to recognise the risks that endanger the plan. A lot of budget was spent on investment in the construction industry. The application of risk management will result in taking correct, regulated, and prompt decision through being informed about the environment despite the complication and changes in the construction industries. 1.2 Problem Statement Knowing the environment and be capable in decision making in a prompt and correct manner is the key to success in managing todays challenge and risk imminent. In case of not recognise both internal and external risks factor of the project, the managerial decision-making error will take place. Moreover, it will cause problems in time and cost assessment forecasting. Through risk management, it can identify the risk generating factor and control or remove such risk factors through analyzing and choosing the suitable action. As one of the subfields in the nine knowledge area of project management, risk management is still being paid less attention in Malaysia. In very few organisations, employers or contractors can be seen who have a proper insight into risk management. There are no any practical guidelines to be properly implemented for risk management in this industry. Furthermore, as a result of lack of binding regulations, current regulations cannot force construction parties to undertake risk management. So, by adopting scientific approach to risk management, introducing its process and eventually its compliance with existing realities in development plans, particularly in project are a necessity. The issue of risk management was for the first time raised in mid-1990s in the United States. Laws and regulations for applying risk management in projects have now been adopted. Since risk management is a new field, except for several seminars and universities research project, applied research has not taken place in risk management in Malaysia. 1.3 Research Questions i. What kind of risks occurs in the construction projects and what are their factors? ii. What are the strategies that been applied in dealing with risk? 1.4 Research Objectives i. To identify risk factors in construction industry. ii. To identify strategies of risk management applied in construction industry. 1.5 Scope of Study This research is focuses on the implementation of risk management in the Malaysia construction industry. Therefore, the scope of this study is only limited in Pahang where respondents have been chosen randomly out of this area. Moreover, the respondents comprised of contractors registering in Grade 7. The reasons for being such is that the categorization of the grade of contractors reflect, to a great extent, the size of project that being executed in the company and the size of the company. Grade 7 of contractors is regarded as big companies with large-size projects. Depending on their size of project and their company, the risk that they encounter will differ. As a result of this, to make sure the data obtained could be reliable, its necessary to limit the respondents based on the size of project and company. 1.6 Expected Findings This research will achieve some precious advantages. First is to enhance the consciousness of different key personnel of project resulting in performing the project reliably while considering issues like risk management in general management project. To accomplish this, its essential to implement theoretical concepts mentioned in numerous literatures in reality. This can guarantee a well project management through attempting to prevent from normal issues in projects like poor quality of products, cost overrun, and delays. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Risk will bring effect on the project cost, time, and scope. This chapter covers the construction project risks. All the risks will be recognised and categories into a number of group. Then, the current trend in risk management researches would be considered. In order to meet the first objective, identification and classification the strategies used by the project manager used to avoid the risk in their project. The second objective will be fulfilling through identification and classification of risk factor in construction projects. 2.2 Definitions 2.2.1 Risk Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, it can bring a positive or negative effect on a project objective (PMBOOK, 2000). Risk also can be defined as an uncertain event or set of circumstances if it occur, it will give effect on the achievement of the projects objectives (APM, 1997). This definition is widely use and gather welcoming upside and unwelcome downside effects. This definition works in theory but fails in practice. In this study, the effect of risk in construction project is through the way of integrated method, namely size of consequences and probabilities of happening have been measured. In the construction project, there is a lot of risk in every phase. This is the norm of any project not only in construction project. Construction firms want to have projects at international level. In every construction project, risks are present. Risks in international construction projects are more critical as compared to domestic projects especially when developin g countries are involved. That is the reason risk is desirable for international construction firms who want to do construction projects in foreign country, to identify the risks as early as possible, so that suitable strategies can be made for the penetration in to the foreign construction market and to manage these risks before the actual execution of projects on international level. Risk consequences in construction projects may reach an undesirable level because of inadequate resources and lack of advancements in technologies, therefore a thorough awareness and identification of risks is essential to prepare suitable strategies. International construction projects have many risks involved due to the nature of their structure. There are more parties involved and more phases are present in international construction projects than a conventional construction project. Each party has its different objectives. This difference in the objectives of parties leads to conflict of interest which is a root cause of risks in international construction projects. 2.2.2 Risk Factor Construction project is divided into separate phases. At the end of each phase, appraisal can be made and assessment of risk involved in proceeding with the project. The management of risk therefore a continue process and should span all the phases of the project. Since project risks are dynamic, a risk assessment must be carried out at the end of each phase prior to proceeding to the next phase. In fact, active management of risk must continue between the review points until the project is complete. Risk can also change during a phase. The result is a complete re-appraisal may need to be performed. There is a generic acknowledgement that human factors are the most important element that affects the project success. According to (Lynch, 2002), human factors bring affect to project success. A series of errors by a steel contractor lead to a near miss at Canary Wharf when a two-tonne pre-cast staircase fell from a crane and landed on the ground metres from a crowded side office. It was reported that the stairs fell when the left side eyebolt lifting pin of the staircase lifting gear came free. The load was transfer to the right-hand bolt, causing it ti shear. The report confirmed that the eyebolt was not correctly inserted. Independent testing agency Lloyds British examined key parts of the lifting equipment and concludes that the equipment would be sufficient had it been assembled correctly. Shortfalls in the firms arrangement at the site were criticised. No risk assessment or method statement had been drawn up specifically for the lifting operation and key decision were left to operators who were not trained to use eyebolt. All these shortcomings fall in sphere of human factors as defined earlier. 2.2.2 Risk Management Risk management is widely use by the companies or organizations to ensure the control of risk in the business process. In this research, the simplest possible approach to describe the risk management process is chosen due to the context of the construction sector. According to (Norman, 1993) risk management is a system use to identify and quantify all risk to a business or project that is exposed so that conscious decision can be taken on the way to manage the risk. Risk management also been mention in the PMBOOK as one of the nine areas of project management and has been illustrated as the process concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, responses, and monitoring, and control on a project. 2.2.3 Fundamentals of Risk Management There are a lot of risks in the construction projects, and there is no standard method that can explain about the risk management. According to (Telford, 1998) risk in construction industry is the existence of real or possible chances or dangers affecting projects objective while commissioning or operating the project. According to (J. Walewski, 2002) , risks can be categories into two parts. The first part is pure risk when there is the possibility of financial gain. The second part is speculative risk that includes the possibility of both gains and losses. 2.3 Risk Management Process Project Risk Management involves procedure considering executing risk management planning, identification, analysis, response and monitoring, and control on a project. This procedure can update the majority of the project. Project risk management aims to enhance the possibility and effect of positive event, and reduce the possibility and effect of negative incident to the project. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOOK, A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2004), the Project Risk Management Process 2.3.1 Risk Identification Risk identification has two types which are prescriptive and creative. These two types of risk identification has their own function but they must be cautiously handled in order to make sure the process of identifying risk is economic. The result in the utilization of checklists of standard risk distinguished to appear in a special context when there is an attempt to modify the risk identification. Even though checklist is fast to make, but it is inclines to prepare the anticipations of the engaged, and the identification of risks going beyond the experience summarized in the list. The result of using the checklist method can be high, but if they are to have a function, it suggest that they better retained for examining the identification process, and make sure there is no familiar issues have been skipped or ignored. Brainstorming is another method that being hold in a group and it is the favoured method. This is a little more challenging for the participants compared to checklist method but the brainstorming seems more efficient. Brainstorming predict the identification process to gain inspiration from the wide capacity of the participants, due to decreasing the risk that is inadequate consideration will be given to new and more emergent issues, as can occur with the checklist method. 2.3.3 Risk Analysis The risk analysis is implement in each risk as significance rating structure that is considering any existent factors that might be occur which will function to check the risk. The risk analysis can be implementing with qualitative impact and likelihood scale and a matrix clarifying the significance of different composition of the risk. When risks are complicated by themselves that possibly includes various related impacts and events, some types of modelling might be essential. The significance of a risk is connected to a well explained event that will be a composition of the impact and likelihood of the risks. The significance of an unsure quantity will be a function of its three type of value which are the maximum, minimum, and most likely values. 2.3.4 Risk Evaluation Risk can be occurring in any situation. When there are just a lot of risks at the work, the evaluation phase may be proportionately simple and easy. On the other hand, it is a critical step for obtaining an accepted view of the proportionate of the recognized risks. Risk evaluation takes the primary analysis and examines the risks that occur towards the companys known preferences. Any risks which is too high or too low significance are adapted, with a record of the fact being hold for the purpose of tracking. 2.3.5 Risk Treatment Risk treatment comprises what should be done in order to give reaction to recognized risks. Any plans which were thought of before the risk management process commenced are enlarged with actions that been taken to manage the risks before they occur and providing contingency plans with which to get back if a risk happen. 2.3.6 Monitoring and Review In monitoring and review ingredient of the process, there are two levels of them. The other five steps must be remained under an examination as the time passes. Finding of better information may make the first evaluation out of date. It is now usually essential to start the whole process or repeat it once again when risks occurs, not until the change is especially deep, but those parts which are immediately influenced by changing occasions should be updated from time to time. The second step is the monitoring of the performance of the other five levels. The implementation of the risk management process attracts sources and should be administered in order to make sure that it is performed cost-effectively. 2.3.7 Communication and Consultation Communication and consultation is the key component of the risk management process and a major beneficial side effect. Risk management is success when it achieves a high level of creative input and involving all parties with a role to play in achieving a successful outcome for the project or business process being addressed. In both the planning and execution phase in the risk management process, it is prominent to make sure all those individuals who need to be involved are given adequate opportunity to do so and are kept informed of developments in the understanding of risks and the measurement taken to deal with them. 2.4 Tools and Techniques for Risk Response Planning In every project, the risks can raise when there are a lot of phases and tasks to be done in such a way that the least consideration is delivered to main issues of the project. According to (Bajaj, 2000), individual members of the project are usually focus only on the role that they have in the project risks and voluntarily or involuntarily try to pass these risks on to other project members. This means they do not want to take the responsibility to handle the risk by themselves. The crucial part of risk management is mitigating risk by minimize their effects. A systematic risk management strategy which is executed properly shall decrease the adverse effects. Risk mitigation that been properly planned and well managed is a replacement of uncertain and volatile events with a more predictable or controlled response ( (Chapman, 2002). A proper risk mitigation strategy is very important in order to reduce the likelihood of happening or possible influence and doubtfulness of a risk event. There are four types of risk management strategy which are: i. Risk avoidance which when a risk is not accepted and other lower risk choices are available from several alternatives; ii. Risk acceptance which when a conscious decision is made to accept the outcomes the event should occur; iii. Risk control which when a process of sequentially monitoring and improving the situation on the project is used. This process includes the development of a risk reduction plan and then pursuing the plan. This means that mitigation strategy is the most common risk management and handling technique; iv. Risk transfer which when the risk is shared with others. Sharing the risk with others involve contractual shifting, performance encouragement, insurance, warranties, bonds, and so on. 2.5 Classification of Risks in Construction The first stage in risk management is risk identification. Risk identification is recognising any risks that can be occur in the construction projects. Risk classification is one of the part in risk identification which is the trying to manage different risks that can give impact and influence a construction project. According to (Chapman, 2001), risk has four subcategories which are project, industry, client, and environment. From the other related literature, out of 58 risks recognized connected to construction joint ventures, (Shen, 2001) categorised them in 6 groups according to risks nature like financial, economy, technical, politic, and management. As a result, there are a lot of methods that can be use to categorizing risks that can affect to construction projects. According to other study by (Kalayjian, 2000), in the Third World of Construction classified that some of the most representative kinds of risks that are commonly use in todays global construction area are: i. Financial Risk is the economic feasibility in a project that relies on its capital organizing and capacity to draw dependable resources of financing at logical terms. Risks contain the owners power of acquiring enough budgets, deposit payment, receive tax incentives, and expect instability of currency exchange rates. ii. Design and Construction Risk which is in the construction project itself. To be success in construction projects, the managerial teams must have a power decision making. Risks that must be take care are an effective team selection process, obtaining permits and third party concurrence in timely fashion, procurement of adequate labour, materials and equipment, monitoring all changes in project scope, quality control assurance, and ensuring overall compliance with contractual obligations. iii. Weather and Environmental Risk is about the mother nature situation. In construction sites, there is vulnerable change in the weather and natural disaster like earthquakes, monsoons, and flood. Other risk can be reducing the other dangerous wastes and severe environmental legislation. iv. Economic and political risk is a risk which also can affect the construction project. The performance of economic in a country and political stability has a significant effect in construction activity and investment. Prominent risks consist of financial policy and governmental monetary responsibility, resources availability, development of infrastructures, internal stability, changes in managerial schedule, and political management. On the other research done by (Hassanein, 2007), there are several risk that has been identified which are: i. financial risks: the checklist mentioned about some financial risks which are related to the projects in this study. ii. Technical risks: the checklist show allowances for similar standards and codes. This is because the two projects studied were tendered internationally which causes contractors from different countries. iii. Risk related to change: the checklist addressed certain provisions concerning the simultaneous progress of design and construction phases on the two fast track project under study. iv. Consortium risk: in some contracts, contractors are requested to make partnership including foreign and local contractors as a necessity of tendering qualification. v. Owner obligation risks: the checklist embraced factors which should be stated in the contract to clarify owners responsibilities and to guarantee these responsibilities would be come up with on time. These include an obvious interpretation of these responsibilities, time frame for their execution and declaration of amendments if these responsibilities are not executed shall be contained in the contracts. vi. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. vii. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. According to (Tang, 2007), the most important risks in project are poor quality of work, premature failure of the facility, safety, financial, and incorrect design risk. 2.7 Barriers of Implementation of Risk Management According to (Liu, 2007), the most dominant risk in the construction industry is the unsupportive culture within the industry. As a result, the lack of proficiency and experience is the general reluctance for implementation of risk management in the Chinas construction industry. Lack of proficiency and experience causes contractors to be unable to identify the significance and advantages of risk management. To improve the low understanding towards risk is through changing the culture of enterprise. This is because it is essential for Chinese contractors to agree with the risk managements concept as well as execute risk management techniques. The professionals behaviour seems the most significant issue affecting the improvement of risk management in the Chinese construction industry. Organizational learning becomes the critical element of an incorporated risk management procedure which being the learning structure formed to assist Chinese contractors in developing their performance an d knowledge towards risk management. In fact, to transform the modern knowledge to their own knowledge using organizational learning seems become the critical issue for Chinese contractors in order to develop their ambitious. According to (Baloi, 2003), it appears that professionals have not completely understood the value of risk management. This is because there are advances in the methods of risk management and availability of the enormous body of knowledge of risk management. The professionals recognised language, implementation costs, and educational barriers and a fear of change to be the principal barriers of the efficient conformance. According to (Hlaing, 2008), Singapore construction contractors on construction risk identification asserted that the reason that preventing the implementation of risk management process is money but it is not the major constraint for implementing risk management program for the companies but the most important risk in the list is lack of time. This is same as stated by (Lyons, 2004), identified that time constraint is a main restriction. The activities of construction industry are really related to time when the manufacture of the construction is basically used just-in-time for the manufacture need of customer. 2.8 Risk Identification Methods In order to be successful in project management, it requires the ability to predict the risks that affecting the project scope, time, and cost. However, there are a lot of researches about risk identification, risk assessment, and management for executed facilities is focusing on types of projects or categories of risks aspects. It is related to the literature from (Howell, 2001) about the political risks that exist. Now a day, the construction industry still cannot identify the risks that occur in the project activities. According to (Walewski, 2002), the worth of systematic risk management of activities on project has not been identified. This is because the lack of common vision about risk and the parties that involved in construction industry such as owners, designers, investors, and contractors have different objectives and the relationship among them are prevalent contradict. All of the project parties not systematically make their efforts at organizing risk analysis management among themselves and this particularly correct between contractors and owners. (Fang, 2004) show a model for risk assessment. The model use for tendering project in Chinese building project based on assessment and identification of critical risks in the Chinese construction industry. As a result, the projects risk could be evaluated by analyzing the issues such as the competition for tendering and reasonableness of bid price, lack of cooperation between contractors and the owner. In other study done by (Hassanein, 2007), the marked lack of consistency in the contractors risk identification effort been identified as the risk in the power station projects on Egypt. The contractors who have more experience in Egypt were better to identify the relevant risk. Vice versa, the local Egyptian contractors who have vast experience in Egypt but limited project management experience were not really expert to properly identify risks and to take the appropriate exceptions. In fact, the bidders do not include in their proposals on their true lists of exceptions which represent genuine risks to them. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter will cover how the research will conduct to achieve the objectives of this study. The methodology that will be use are questionnaire survey among the Pahang construction professionals, and preliminary interviews with experts will carry out. The steps are as follows: 3.2 Data Collection 3.2.1 Interview Interview is the effective procedure of data collection because the actuality of condition could be perceived specifically and comprehensively while conducting the interview. For the purpose of this study, as the scope of this study is limited to Pahang, the interview sessions will conduct through two main ways which are telephone interview as well as email interview through the internet. 3.2.2 Questionnaire Questionnaire survey is one of the others way of data collection carry out among selected construction practitioners involve in construction projects. This specialist will working in contractor construction companies. The questionnaire will be identified from interview with construction practitioners and through literature review. The survey questionnaire will administer through e-mail and fax, and postal questionnaire, and secondly through the distribution to selected contractors which are project managers, managing directors, chairman, and head of technical departments operating in the Pahang construction industry. 3.3 Data Analysis All returned questionnaire will be check from completeness and suitability for use in statistical analysis. Next, all the data collected from the questionnaire will be analyse with the assistance of statistical software program called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). After putting the data in SPSS software program, some statistical method will be apply to the data through frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and single sample T-test. After putting questionnaire data into SPSS, some statistical method will be applied to the using frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and correlation test. 3.4 Measurement Most of the question will applied using five point of Likert scale, and other question will applied with multiple choice. The most common scale that will be use is 1 to 5. There are three sections in the questionnaire. Section A will cover about the level of risk in construction project. Participant will be given three choices of answer which is low, medium, and high to scale the risk level according to their perspective. In section B, the typical Likert scale take the following format: Risk level Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Almost certain Score 1 2 3 4 5 Table 3.1: Risk factors In section C, the respondent will be asked to choose the scale between 1 to 5. The scale 1 shows a condition which the probability of strategies been use is minor where scale 5 means the maximum probability of risk strategies usage. Strategies Not important Little important Average Important Very important Score 1 2 3 4 5 Strategies for Risk Management in Construction Strategies for Risk Management in Construction 1.1 Introduction Risk management is one of the subfields on nine knowledge area in project management. Risk management is about managing uncertainty that inherent in most projects that require formal project management, using ‘uncertainty in the plain English ‘lack of certainty sense. Risk management also refer to a series of processes which are required for the identification, analysis, and reaction towards the projects risk in order to maximize the effects of positive uncertainty even and minimize the consequences of negative uncertainty even. Risk management also been organise in developed countries. This due to the risk management is better applied in the developed countries. Comparing with other countries with various situations, Malaysia is a developing country which the politic, economy, social and technology have mad specific risks especially related. Unfortunately, in Malaysia, the management of risk is not so systematic and requires more research and development. Malaysia seems to be developing countries because the demand for founding infrastructures is highly increasing. Currently, the government is enforcing the development plan. National economic will be burden if the plan is falling behind. This means that it is important to recognise the risks that endanger the plan. A lot of budget was spent on investment in the construction industry. The application of risk management will result in taking correct, regulated, and prompt decision through being informed about the environment despite the complication and changes in the construction industries. 1.2 Problem Statement Knowing the environment and be capable in decision making in a prompt and correct manner is the key to success in managing todays challenge and risk imminent. In case of not recognise both internal and external risks factor of the project, the managerial decision-making error will take place. Moreover, it will cause problems in time and cost assessment forecasting. Through risk management, it can identify the risk generating factor and control or remove such risk factors through analyzing and choosing the suitable action. As one of the subfields in the nine knowledge area of project management, risk management is still being paid less attention in Malaysia. In very few organisations, employers or contractors can be seen who have a proper insight into risk management. There are no any practical guidelines to be properly implemented for risk management in this industry. Furthermore, as a result of lack of binding regulations, current regulations cannot force construction parties to undertake risk management. So, by adopting scientific approach to risk management, introducing its process and eventually its compliance with existing realities in development plans, particularly in project are a necessity. The issue of risk management was for the first time raised in mid-1990s in the United States. Laws and regulations for applying risk management in projects have now been adopted. Since risk management is a new field, except for several seminars and universities research project, applied research has not taken place in risk management in Malaysia. 1.3 Research Questions i. What kind of risks occurs in the construction projects and what are their factors? ii. What are the strategies that been applied in dealing with risk? 1.4 Research Objectives i. To identify risk factors in construction industry. ii. To identify strategies of risk management applied in construction industry. 1.5 Scope of Study This research is focuses on the implementation of risk management in the Malaysia construction industry. Therefore, the scope of this study is only limited in Pahang where respondents have been chosen randomly out of this area. Moreover, the respondents comprised of contractors registering in Grade 7. The reasons for being such is that the categorization of the grade of contractors reflect, to a great extent, the size of project that being executed in the company and the size of the company. Grade 7 of contractors is regarded as big companies with large-size projects. Depending on their size of project and their company, the risk that they encounter will differ. As a result of this, to make sure the data obtained could be reliable, its necessary to limit the respondents based on the size of project and company. 1.6 Expected Findings This research will achieve some precious advantages. First is to enhance the consciousness of different key personnel of project resulting in performing the project reliably while considering issues like risk management in general management project. To accomplish this, its essential to implement theoretical concepts mentioned in numerous literatures in reality. This can guarantee a well project management through attempting to prevent from normal issues in projects like poor quality of products, cost overrun, and delays. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Risk will bring effect on the project cost, time, and scope. This chapter covers the construction project risks. All the risks will be recognised and categories into a number of group. Then, the current trend in risk management researches would be considered. In order to meet the first objective, identification and classification the strategies used by the project manager used to avoid the risk in their project. The second objective will be fulfilling through identification and classification of risk factor in construction projects. 2.2 Definitions 2.2.1 Risk Risk is an uncertain event or condition that, if it occurs, it can bring a positive or negative effect on a project objective (PMBOOK, 2000). Risk also can be defined as an uncertain event or set of circumstances if it occur, it will give effect on the achievement of the projects objectives (APM, 1997). This definition is widely use and gather welcoming upside and unwelcome downside effects. This definition works in theory but fails in practice. In this study, the effect of risk in construction project is through the way of integrated method, namely size of consequences and probabilities of happening have been measured. In the construction project, there is a lot of risk in every phase. This is the norm of any project not only in construction project. Construction firms want to have projects at international level. In every construction project, risks are present. Risks in international construction projects are more critical as compared to domestic projects especially when developin g countries are involved. That is the reason risk is desirable for international construction firms who want to do construction projects in foreign country, to identify the risks as early as possible, so that suitable strategies can be made for the penetration in to the foreign construction market and to manage these risks before the actual execution of projects on international level. Risk consequences in construction projects may reach an undesirable level because of inadequate resources and lack of advancements in technologies, therefore a thorough awareness and identification of risks is essential to prepare suitable strategies. International construction projects have many risks involved due to the nature of their structure. There are more parties involved and more phases are present in international construction projects than a conventional construction project. Each party has its different objectives. This difference in the objectives of parties leads to conflict of interest which is a root cause of risks in international construction projects. 2.2.2 Risk Factor Construction project is divided into separate phases. At the end of each phase, appraisal can be made and assessment of risk involved in proceeding with the project. The management of risk therefore a continue process and should span all the phases of the project. Since project risks are dynamic, a risk assessment must be carried out at the end of each phase prior to proceeding to the next phase. In fact, active management of risk must continue between the review points until the project is complete. Risk can also change during a phase. The result is a complete re-appraisal may need to be performed. There is a generic acknowledgement that human factors are the most important element that affects the project success. According to (Lynch, 2002), human factors bring affect to project success. A series of errors by a steel contractor lead to a near miss at Canary Wharf when a two-tonne pre-cast staircase fell from a crane and landed on the ground metres from a crowded side office. It was reported that the stairs fell when the left side eyebolt lifting pin of the staircase lifting gear came free. The load was transfer to the right-hand bolt, causing it ti shear. The report confirmed that the eyebolt was not correctly inserted. Independent testing agency Lloyds British examined key parts of the lifting equipment and concludes that the equipment would be sufficient had it been assembled correctly. Shortfalls in the firms arrangement at the site were criticised. No risk assessment or method statement had been drawn up specifically for the lifting operation and key decision were left to operators who were not trained to use eyebolt. All these shortcomings fall in sphere of human factors as defined earlier. 2.2.2 Risk Management Risk management is widely use by the companies or organizations to ensure the control of risk in the business process. In this research, the simplest possible approach to describe the risk management process is chosen due to the context of the construction sector. According to (Norman, 1993) risk management is a system use to identify and quantify all risk to a business or project that is exposed so that conscious decision can be taken on the way to manage the risk. Risk management also been mention in the PMBOOK as one of the nine areas of project management and has been illustrated as the process concerned with conducting risk management planning, identification, analysis, responses, and monitoring, and control on a project. 2.2.3 Fundamentals of Risk Management There are a lot of risks in the construction projects, and there is no standard method that can explain about the risk management. According to (Telford, 1998) risk in construction industry is the existence of real or possible chances or dangers affecting projects objective while commissioning or operating the project. According to (J. Walewski, 2002) , risks can be categories into two parts. The first part is pure risk when there is the possibility of financial gain. The second part is speculative risk that includes the possibility of both gains and losses. 2.3 Risk Management Process Project Risk Management involves procedure considering executing risk management planning, identification, analysis, response and monitoring, and control on a project. This procedure can update the majority of the project. Project risk management aims to enhance the possibility and effect of positive event, and reduce the possibility and effect of negative incident to the project. According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, (PMBOOK, A guide to the project management body of knowledge, 2004), the Project Risk Management Process 2.3.1 Risk Identification Risk identification has two types which are prescriptive and creative. These two types of risk identification has their own function but they must be cautiously handled in order to make sure the process of identifying risk is economic. The result in the utilization of checklists of standard risk distinguished to appear in a special context when there is an attempt to modify the risk identification. Even though checklist is fast to make, but it is inclines to prepare the anticipations of the engaged, and the identification of risks going beyond the experience summarized in the list. The result of using the checklist method can be high, but if they are to have a function, it suggest that they better retained for examining the identification process, and make sure there is no familiar issues have been skipped or ignored. Brainstorming is another method that being hold in a group and it is the favoured method. This is a little more challenging for the participants compared to checklist method but the brainstorming seems more efficient. Brainstorming predict the identification process to gain inspiration from the wide capacity of the participants, due to decreasing the risk that is inadequate consideration will be given to new and more emergent issues, as can occur with the checklist method. 2.3.3 Risk Analysis The risk analysis is implement in each risk as significance rating structure that is considering any existent factors that might be occur which will function to check the risk. The risk analysis can be implementing with qualitative impact and likelihood scale and a matrix clarifying the significance of different composition of the risk. When risks are complicated by themselves that possibly includes various related impacts and events, some types of modelling might be essential. The significance of a risk is connected to a well explained event that will be a composition of the impact and likelihood of the risks. The significance of an unsure quantity will be a function of its three type of value which are the maximum, minimum, and most likely values. 2.3.4 Risk Evaluation Risk can be occurring in any situation. When there are just a lot of risks at the work, the evaluation phase may be proportionately simple and easy. On the other hand, it is a critical step for obtaining an accepted view of the proportionate of the recognized risks. Risk evaluation takes the primary analysis and examines the risks that occur towards the companys known preferences. Any risks which is too high or too low significance are adapted, with a record of the fact being hold for the purpose of tracking. 2.3.5 Risk Treatment Risk treatment comprises what should be done in order to give reaction to recognized risks. Any plans which were thought of before the risk management process commenced are enlarged with actions that been taken to manage the risks before they occur and providing contingency plans with which to get back if a risk happen. 2.3.6 Monitoring and Review In monitoring and review ingredient of the process, there are two levels of them. The other five steps must be remained under an examination as the time passes. Finding of better information may make the first evaluation out of date. It is now usually essential to start the whole process or repeat it once again when risks occurs, not until the change is especially deep, but those parts which are immediately influenced by changing occasions should be updated from time to time. The second step is the monitoring of the performance of the other five levels. The implementation of the risk management process attracts sources and should be administered in order to make sure that it is performed cost-effectively. 2.3.7 Communication and Consultation Communication and consultation is the key component of the risk management process and a major beneficial side effect. Risk management is success when it achieves a high level of creative input and involving all parties with a role to play in achieving a successful outcome for the project or business process being addressed. In both the planning and execution phase in the risk management process, it is prominent to make sure all those individuals who need to be involved are given adequate opportunity to do so and are kept informed of developments in the understanding of risks and the measurement taken to deal with them. 2.4 Tools and Techniques for Risk Response Planning In every project, the risks can raise when there are a lot of phases and tasks to be done in such a way that the least consideration is delivered to main issues of the project. According to (Bajaj, 2000), individual members of the project are usually focus only on the role that they have in the project risks and voluntarily or involuntarily try to pass these risks on to other project members. This means they do not want to take the responsibility to handle the risk by themselves. The crucial part of risk management is mitigating risk by minimize their effects. A systematic risk management strategy which is executed properly shall decrease the adverse effects. Risk mitigation that been properly planned and well managed is a replacement of uncertain and volatile events with a more predictable or controlled response ( (Chapman, 2002). A proper risk mitigation strategy is very important in order to reduce the likelihood of happening or possible influence and doubtfulness of a risk event. There are four types of risk management strategy which are: i. Risk avoidance which when a risk is not accepted and other lower risk choices are available from several alternatives; ii. Risk acceptance which when a conscious decision is made to accept the outcomes the event should occur; iii. Risk control which when a process of sequentially monitoring and improving the situation on the project is used. This process includes the development of a risk reduction plan and then pursuing the plan. This means that mitigation strategy is the most common risk management and handling technique; iv. Risk transfer which when the risk is shared with others. Sharing the risk with others involve contractual shifting, performance encouragement, insurance, warranties, bonds, and so on. 2.5 Classification of Risks in Construction The first stage in risk management is risk identification. Risk identification is recognising any risks that can be occur in the construction projects. Risk classification is one of the part in risk identification which is the trying to manage different risks that can give impact and influence a construction project. According to (Chapman, 2001), risk has four subcategories which are project, industry, client, and environment. From the other related literature, out of 58 risks recognized connected to construction joint ventures, (Shen, 2001) categorised them in 6 groups according to risks nature like financial, economy, technical, politic, and management. As a result, there are a lot of methods that can be use to categorizing risks that can affect to construction projects. According to other study by (Kalayjian, 2000), in the Third World of Construction classified that some of the most representative kinds of risks that are commonly use in todays global construction area are: i. Financial Risk is the economic feasibility in a project that relies on its capital organizing and capacity to draw dependable resources of financing at logical terms. Risks contain the owners power of acquiring enough budgets, deposit payment, receive tax incentives, and expect instability of currency exchange rates. ii. Design and Construction Risk which is in the construction project itself. To be success in construction projects, the managerial teams must have a power decision making. Risks that must be take care are an effective team selection process, obtaining permits and third party concurrence in timely fashion, procurement of adequate labour, materials and equipment, monitoring all changes in project scope, quality control assurance, and ensuring overall compliance with contractual obligations. iii. Weather and Environmental Risk is about the mother nature situation. In construction sites, there is vulnerable change in the weather and natural disaster like earthquakes, monsoons, and flood. Other risk can be reducing the other dangerous wastes and severe environmental legislation. iv. Economic and political risk is a risk which also can affect the construction project. The performance of economic in a country and political stability has a significant effect in construction activity and investment. Prominent risks consist of financial policy and governmental monetary responsibility, resources availability, development of infrastructures, internal stability, changes in managerial schedule, and political management. On the other research done by (Hassanein, 2007), there are several risk that has been identified which are: i. financial risks: the checklist mentioned about some financial risks which are related to the projects in this study. ii. Technical risks: the checklist show allowances for similar standards and codes. This is because the two projects studied were tendered internationally which causes contractors from different countries. iii. Risk related to change: the checklist addressed certain provisions concerning the simultaneous progress of design and construction phases on the two fast track project under study. iv. Consortium risk: in some contracts, contractors are requested to make partnership including foreign and local contractors as a necessity of tendering qualification. v. Owner obligation risks: the checklist embraced factors which should be stated in the contract to clarify owners responsibilities and to guarantee these responsibilities would be come up with on time. These include an obvious interpretation of these responsibilities, time frame for their execution and declaration of amendments if these responsibilities are not executed shall be contained in the contracts. vi. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. vii. Risks regarding interface with other contractors: the checklist included specific items to mitigate risks related to interfaces with other contractors. According to (Tang, 2007), the most important risks in project are poor quality of work, premature failure of the facility, safety, financial, and incorrect design risk. 2.7 Barriers of Implementation of Risk Management According to (Liu, 2007), the most dominant risk in the construction industry is the unsupportive culture within the industry. As a result, the lack of proficiency and experience is the general reluctance for implementation of risk management in the Chinas construction industry. Lack of proficiency and experience causes contractors to be unable to identify the significance and advantages of risk management. To improve the low understanding towards risk is through changing the culture of enterprise. This is because it is essential for Chinese contractors to agree with the risk managements concept as well as execute risk management techniques. The professionals behaviour seems the most significant issue affecting the improvement of risk management in the Chinese construction industry. Organizational learning becomes the critical element of an incorporated risk management procedure which being the learning structure formed to assist Chinese contractors in developing their performance an d knowledge towards risk management. In fact, to transform the modern knowledge to their own knowledge using organizational learning seems become the critical issue for Chinese contractors in order to develop their ambitious. According to (Baloi, 2003), it appears that professionals have not completely understood the value of risk management. This is because there are advances in the methods of risk management and availability of the enormous body of knowledge of risk management. The professionals recognised language, implementation costs, and educational barriers and a fear of change to be the principal barriers of the efficient conformance. According to (Hlaing, 2008), Singapore construction contractors on construction risk identification asserted that the reason that preventing the implementation of risk management process is money but it is not the major constraint for implementing risk management program for the companies but the most important risk in the list is lack of time. This is same as stated by (Lyons, 2004), identified that time constraint is a main restriction. The activities of construction industry are really related to time when the manufacture of the construction is basically used just-in-time for the manufacture need of customer. 2.8 Risk Identification Methods In order to be successful in project management, it requires the ability to predict the risks that affecting the project scope, time, and cost. However, there are a lot of researches about risk identification, risk assessment, and management for executed facilities is focusing on types of projects or categories of risks aspects. It is related to the literature from (Howell, 2001) about the political risks that exist. Now a day, the construction industry still cannot identify the risks that occur in the project activities. According to (Walewski, 2002), the worth of systematic risk management of activities on project has not been identified. This is because the lack of common vision about risk and the parties that involved in construction industry such as owners, designers, investors, and contractors have different objectives and the relationship among them are prevalent contradict. All of the project parties not systematically make their efforts at organizing risk analysis management among themselves and this particularly correct between contractors and owners. (Fang, 2004) show a model for risk assessment. The model use for tendering project in Chinese building project based on assessment and identification of critical risks in the Chinese construction industry. As a result, the projects risk could be evaluated by analyzing the issues such as the competition for tendering and reasonableness of bid price, lack of cooperation between contractors and the owner. In other study done by (Hassanein, 2007), the marked lack of consistency in the contractors risk identification effort been identified as the risk in the power station projects on Egypt. The contractors who have more experience in Egypt were better to identify the relevant risk. Vice versa, the local Egyptian contractors who have vast experience in Egypt but limited project management experience were not really expert to properly identify risks and to take the appropriate exceptions. In fact, the bidders do not include in their proposals on their true lists of exceptions which represent genuine risks to them. CHAPTER 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This chapter will cover how the research will conduct to achieve the objectives of this study. The methodology that will be use are questionnaire survey among the Pahang construction professionals, and preliminary interviews with experts will carry out. The steps are as follows: 3.2 Data Collection 3.2.1 Interview Interview is the effective procedure of data collection because the actuality of condition could be perceived specifically and comprehensively while conducting the interview. For the purpose of this study, as the scope of this study is limited to Pahang, the interview sessions will conduct through two main ways which are telephone interview as well as email interview through the internet. 3.2.2 Questionnaire Questionnaire survey is one of the others way of data collection carry out among selected construction practitioners involve in construction projects. This specialist will working in contractor construction companies. The questionnaire will be identified from interview with construction practitioners and through literature review. The survey questionnaire will administer through e-mail and fax, and postal questionnaire, and secondly through the distribution to selected contractors which are project managers, managing directors, chairman, and head of technical departments operating in the Pahang construction industry. 3.3 Data Analysis All returned questionnaire will be check from completeness and suitability for use in statistical analysis. Next, all the data collected from the questionnaire will be analyse with the assistance of statistical software program called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). After putting the data in SPSS software program, some statistical method will be apply to the data through frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and single sample T-test. After putting questionnaire data into SPSS, some statistical method will be applied to the using frequency analysis and mean index, risk analysis matrix, and correlation test. 3.4 Measurement Most of the question will applied using five point of Likert scale, and other question will applied with multiple choice. The most common scale that will be use is 1 to 5. There are three sections in the questionnaire. Section A will cover about the level of risk in construction project. Participant will be given three choices of answer which is low, medium, and high to scale the risk level according to their perspective. In section B, the typical Likert scale take the following format: Risk level Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Almost certain Score 1 2 3 4 5 Table 3.1: Risk factors In section C, the respondent will be asked to choose the scale between 1 to 5. The scale 1 shows a condition which the probability of strategies been use is minor where scale 5 means the maximum probability of risk strategies usage. Strategies Not important Little important Average Important Very important Score 1 2 3 4 5

Jefferson Memorial and the Pantheon Essay -- Architecture Compare Cont

Jefferson Memorial and the Pantheon The Jefferson Memorial is a testimonial to the past, present, and future of the United States. Its architecture, like most neo-Classical buildings, gives a sense of permanence. This permanence has a history far older than many would suspect. Centuries ago and thousands of miles away a building was erected that would later become the model for which many other buildings, including the Jefferson Memorial, are based upon. This building is the Roman Pantheon. Though the Jefferson Memorial borrows the basic form and elements from the Pantheon, the Memorial has distinctive differences from its predecessor. The Memorial is located in Washington, DC in an area of the city known as "The Mall" (Weeks, AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington DC, pg.61). It is dedicated to America's third president, Thomas Jefferson.. Jefferson was a man of many talents, in addition to being president Jefferson was once a statesman, architect, drafter of the Declaration of Independence, adviser on the Constitution, and founder of the University of Virginia (Pamela Scott and Antoinette Lee, Buildings of the District of Columbia, pg. 102). The Memorial was officially dedicated in April 1943, on Jefferson's 200th birthday, by FDR. The Jefferson Memorial is surrounded by other national monuments, some of which are the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The chief architect responsible for designing and building the Jefferson Memorial was John Russell Pope in 1939 to 1943. Pope was a neoclassicist who was inspired by the Roman Pantheon. The Memorial's basic form is a domed rotunda fronted by a Greek portico, or entrance porch, and surrounded by Ionic columns. At first glance ... ...lding can be, yet it has its own distinctive style and meaning. The Memorial is not a mirror image of its ancient ancestor, rather, it is a descendant of centuries of development and change. The Jefferson Memorial is no simple carbon copy of the original Pantheon, it is a building and a work of art in its own right and should be appreciated regardless of history. Works Cited: 1. Christopher Weeks, AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington DC. Washington DC: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994 2. Pamela Scott and Antoinette Lee, Buildings of the District of Columbia. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc., 1993 3. Marilyn Stokstad, Art History vol. 1. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc., 1995 4. Horst de la Croix, Garders Art Through the Ages, 8th edition. Orlando, Florida: Harcourt Brace Janovich, Inc., 1986

The Good Life

The Good Life goes on but how would I know if goes so fast I miss it .It’s like the story of a good tale that always end with a man who can never tell his story is like a book which has been open for just one look, So like any other fairy tale A wish comes true The poor pathetic life of a blacksmith turns into a heroic life of a hero, A hero they gave me the title the name of the world’s finest idol The million aired they also stressed the could be me they would always idol I was just a poor pathetic blacksmith a handy man for the people No one special I was Just a low class man with a â€Å"DREAM â€Å"That came true That day the people gazed at the hammers as they bang This one time was different the bang sparked like the glazing of the sun Gold I could only think of the fiery shines of the Day Its Gold its Gold I thought I keep it to myself at first before I started a riot of despaired people More bangs More Gold I did And soon I was a Gold having poor man So the f ew days passed by the weeks passed by the months passed by And I turned in the Gold and became this new man A Richer man a man with thousands to spend the Million aired.But with the money I gave some portion to the poor and turned their into a better TRUTH And that’s when they called me the HERO The titles â€Å"YES† they came and came, HERO, MILLON AIRED, FARTHER, RICHES, KEEPERS MAN, The Gold Digger, And most important of all the WEALTHY I lived for this day I said to myself the days dream will never end I can walk upright high looking glamorous than any other in the whole city maybe even country. I stand I front of people just to say my story the tear up and ball all around me as I only say the Good Life is were I’m at now so no need for tears. The whole country knows me but do they even know my name. I demanded myself to take a seat and think is this whole Good Life Masquerade even worth it if the people on know me for my good deeds but yet not even know my name.The door opens and the voice comes in Mister Wealthy it’s time for your speech, I somewhat drag myself out in front of millions and say â€Å"The honor to stand before the people of America the people who work hard and realize that it doesn’t matter where you came from it only matters were your going and how you get there the success of a life time done in one year is outstanding the people thought but the thing is it worth it, the threats of murder for money is it worth it, Some you don’t even know my name the name of the man with millions of thousands. The name of your Hero you clam is â€Å"Patrick Luis’’ That’s my name not these titles you give me. I leave this Speech with One thing my Honor for I am just a man in a suit a man with a life just like you I am just a man not a GOD†

“A Scandal in Bohemia” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The short story, â€Å"A Scandal in Bohemia,† is one of the many stories that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote that starred his most famous character, the master sleuth, Sherlock Holmes.Being that it is a detective story, the type of which most of the later detective stories by lesser known writers were modeled after, the story follows the model for the stages of narrative perfectly, almost strictly. First, the narrator, Dr. Watson, gives the exposition. It is assumed, of course, that the reader is already familiar with the other Sherlock Holmes stories, his friendship with Dr. Watson, their previous adventures together, etc.Dr. Watson starts by introducing the character of Irene Adler; he also makes a quick mention of his previous adventures with Holmes, Holmes’ own odd habits and even odder habits, and even of Watson’s marriage that was introduced in a previous Sherlock Holmes story. Next, the conflict is introduced into the story.As with most detective stories, es pecially one with such an established character as Holmes, the conflict starts with the introduction of the new case to be solved.The rising action stage, then, involves the rest of the story that led up to the climax: the explanation of the king, Holmes’ initial investigation of the Adler house, Irene’s marriage to Norton. Most of the action in the story occurs as Holmes and Watson carried out Holmes’ plan: the organized scuffle, Holmes’ entry into the house, all up to his explanation of the whole plan to Dr. Watson. In the next scene, where Holmes invited the King of Bohemia to join them in retrieving the portrait would have then, naturally, been the part that concludes the entire case.This, however, though not exactly a false climax, was intentionally misleading. The discovery and reading of Irene Norton nee Adler’s letter is the actual climax.This part not only gives a conclusion to the King’s case, but also explains why Sherlock Holmes, and even Watson at the beginning of the narrative, gave such an importance to Irene Adler; she was one of the very few people ever to outwit Holmes and the only woman to do so. The falling action occurs right after they read the letter, as they thought about the implications of its contents. Holmes even admired Irene so much that he asked for her portrait as his only reward, even though he knew he could have had any sum of money from the King, had he asked. Another element included in the story is foreshadowing.The introduction that centered around Holmes’ special perception of Irene Adler above all other women made it very obvious that she was a unique character in some way. Also, Watson’s statement that â€Å"So accustomed was I to his invariable success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to enter into my head† hinted at Holmes’ pending rare failure.

50 Blogs for Mastering the Art, Craft, and Business of Writing - Freewrite Store

50 Blogs for Mastering the Art, Craft, and Business of Writing - Freewrite Store Writing is one of the most written-about topics in the world. For centuries now, or maybe even longer, writers have been giving each other advice about writing- solicited and unsolicited. If you’re a writer, you know the sheer number of books, textbooks, memoirs, and websites on writing at your disposal. It’s easy to get lost in the maze of literature and often conflicting advice, and to get caught up in searching for the one book with the secret to becoming an overnight bestseller. Spoiler alert: Turns out the holy grail of writing advice is entirely mythical. There is no one book, no one website that will help you win the Man Booker prize, and writing- good writing- is mostly about practice, experimentation, and a whole lot of study. There are books, people, and websites who know what they’re talking about and who can help you understand the art of writing and hone it as a craft; who can tell you the ins and outs of the publishing world and the business of writing. It just gets incredibly frustrating and time-consuming, sifting through the hundreds of lists that offer no new insight into writing. And so, curated for the aspiring novelist on their umpteenth draft, for the author struggling with promotion, for the novice only beginning their journey into the wide world of plot, structure, and character development, the top 50 blogs for writers. For Improving Your Craft For Staying Motivated For Finding Your Tribe For Publishing Your Book For Making a Living For Writers of YA and Kids’ Books For a Little Bit of Everything For Improving Your Craft Terribleminds.com Terribleminds.com is the blog and brain child of bestselling author, Chuck Wendig. He’s written some screenplays and over a dozen books, including a book on writing, called The Kick-Ass Writer. He regularly posts refreshingly irreverent views on the art of writing (see â€Å"How to Be a Writer in this F- -Ass Age of Rot and Resistance†) and maverick advice (see â€Å"Setting Free the Sacred Cows of Writing Advice† and â€Å"The Opposite of Kill Your Darlings†), all to remind the reader/writer that writing isn’t â€Å"one size fits all,† it’s â€Å"whatever fits, I guess!† Writershelpingwriters.net Writershelpingwriters.net is a great resource blog for writers looking to really get into the specifics of writing. Here the writer-craftsman will find notes and writing lessons on dialogue, character arcs, plot, pacing†¦ even thesauruses (or thesauri, if you prefer) on positive and negative character traits, words describing emotions, occupations†¦ Check writershelpingwriters.net if you’re looking for a nudge in the right direction. eadeverell.com Eva Deverell’s blog, eadeverell.com, is a great resource for writers who really, really like lists. She’s got dozens of clever worksheets on world building, novel outlining, character building- even productivity pages for bullet journal enthusiasts. All worksheets and printables are available for free. This site is excellent for beginners and for intermediate writers who need a fresh eye for plotting and outlining. Bang2Write.com Bang2Write.com, a blog by novelist, script editor, and blogger Lucy V. Hay. The tagline says, â€Å"Writing craft tips for screenwriters and novelists,† and the tips are pretty spot-on for novelists and screenwriters who a.) want to improve their craft and b.) market themselves on social media and to other industry players. WritingForward.com WritingForward.com’s mission is to â€Å"share helpful and inspiring creative writing tips to benefit the greater writing community and to advocate on behalf of all writers and artists.† The blog has useful articles and insights on grammar, craft, and prompts for writers who need to stretch their creative muscles. Launched in 2007 by Melissa Donovan (author of Adventures in Writing and other books), Writing Forward also has thoughtful answers for questions like â€Å"Do You Need a Creative Writing Degree to Succeed as a Writer?† LiveWriteThrive.com C.S. Lakin (novelist, copy editor, and writing coach) is the mind behind LiveWriteThrive.com. More than just lessons on craft and technique, Lakin posts articles about writer’s block- why it happens and how to â€Å"fix† it. Lakin’s blog is a great all-around resource for the beginning writer, though it shines most in novel structure. Check out â€Å"How to Hook Readers and Reel Them into Your Scenes† for an example of Lakin’s wonderfully practical tips on creative writing. Creative-writing-now.com Creative-writing-now.com is another site great for beginning writers and intermediate writers who have hit a snag and are in need of a bit of workshopping. It was created by writing teachers for writing teachers and is a great source of story and poetry prompts, how-tos, and in-depth explanations of otherwise vague and intimidating writing advice like â€Å"show, don’t tell.† Creative-writing-now.com offers advice and activities that are friendly, approachable, and accessible. AdvicetoWriters.com Jon Winokur has written a lot of books- a lot- over twenty, in fact, so you know that the guy knows a thing or two about writing. And so do the rest of the writers featured on AdvicetoWriters.com, which publishes clever, pithy quotes about writing from writers in the canon (e.g., George Orwell, Joan Didion) and from newer contemporary voices (e.g., Michael Chabon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie). Writing.Rocks The Writing.Rocks blog by Marcia Riefer Johnston features enthusiastic advice on tightening prose and the importance of style guides. With articles like â€Å"Do You Feel Bad or Do You Feel Badly?† and â€Å"Writers, How Much Should You Leave Unsaid?† the blog is a great guide for beginners looking to perfect the ins and outs of grammar, syntax, and tighten their prose. Writersinthestormblog.com Writersinthestormblog.com is by a group of seasoned writers (Laura Drake, Jenny Hansen, Fae Rowen, and Julie Glover) who want to help writers weather what they call â€Å"the storm within.† That is, the self-doubt and fear that comes with putting yourself and your work out there. It’s a great motivational blog for beginners and intermediate writers alike, and offers invaluable advice on character building, story arcs, conflict, and general writing advice. FromNothingtoNovel.com FromNothingtoNovel.com is run by Julie Tyler (PhD in contemporary literature and literacy studies) and Whitney E. Jones (who has a doctorate in English). They offer great tips, exercises, and other resources for writing, and they encourage writers to get out there and be in a community with other writers. They also treat us to witty opinions about writing and craft, such as â€Å"No, my characters don’t talk to me, and yours don’t talk to you either. Here’s why† and â€Å"Oh, writing kids’ books is easy? How about you and me take this outside†¦Ã¢â‚¬  KathySteinemann.com Kathy Steinemann of KathySteinemann.com, or â€Å"Grandma Birdie† to her grandkids, is an editor, cartoonist, and writer. She regularly posts wonderful tips for description and increasing productivity, and has lists of 400+ or 500+ or 600+ ways to, for example, describe necks, lips, ears, words for animals†¦ almost everything you can think of wanting to describe. Kathysteinemann.com is a great resource for when it’s hard to find just the right word for something. Prowritingaid.com Prowritingaid.com is good for the writer in search of the right tools in their writing. The blog includes useful tips on editing and rewriting, blogging, grammar rules, and specialized apps for writers. The site also includes some useful services and software for writers in need of a bit of extra coaching and support to really get cracking. HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com is the blog of K. M. Weiland, author of several books, including Outlining Your Novel and Creating Character Arcs. She has great advice for beginning writers, and tips about plot, character, and structure. She also has a few amusing articles about common writing mistakes. Check it out. You might find some of yours! JerryJenkins.com Jerry B. Jenkins is a 21-Time New York Times bestselling novelist (The Left Behind series) and biographer (Hank Aaron, Walter Payton, Billy Graham, and many others) with sales of over 70 million copies. He shares his little-known writing secrets with aspiring authors at JerryJenkins.com through in-depth guides like how to publish a book. WritersWrite.co.za Our motto at Writers Write is ‘Write to communicate’. Our mission is to teach you how to write. Writers Write is a one-stop resource for writers with more than 1 200 articles for creative writers, bloggers, and business writers on the site. We offer practical, inspiring courses in blogging, business writing, and creative writing. For Staying Motivated PositiveWriter.com The writer in need of motivation and inspiration should give blogs like PositiveWriter.com a look. PositiveWriter.com by Bryan Hutchinson was created, Bryan said, for â€Å"fellow writers who were stuck like I was, stuck in doubt, uncertain of their abilities.† It’s a very positive place for encouragement and community, for some inspiration, and for understanding that writer’s doubt is all in the mind. LaurenSapala.com Lauren Sapala of LaurenSapala.com is another motivational writing coach who started her blog to â€Å"nourish, heal, spark, and empower your creative flame. She’s the INFJ who wrote The INFJ Writer and started the WriteCity writing group, and now teaches introverted writers how to fearlessly write, publish, and market their books- not by masking their introversion but by honoring and embracing it in full. BaneofYourResistance.com Rosanne Bane calls writer’s block, perfectionism, distractions, and busy work â€Å"writer’s resistance.† BaneofYourResistance.com offers psychological tools to help you establish a writing routine and to break through the mental barriers that cause writer’s block. Great for writers in need of new coping mechanisms for self doubt, stress, and perfectionism (basically any writer ever). TheProcrastiWriter.com Shannan of TheProcrastiWriter.com has a problem. Like 90% of writers, Shannan is a chronic procrastinator. By her own admission, she spends more time feeling guilty about not writing than actually writing. She started TheProcrastiWriter.com to help fellow procrastinators, and now the site is host to some wonderfully motivational tips for conquering your inner critic, handling vacation guilt, and what to do when your plot changes halfway through writing it. Read â€Å"An Open Letter to Lazy Writers† for a great kick in the rear. ProductiveWriters.com John Soares has been a freelance writer since 1994. He shares the wisdom of at least two decades of experience on his site, ProductiveWriters.com. He regularly posts articles about productivity and finding motivation, as well as valuable tips on finding clients, a niche market, and other tips for content writing and freelancing. There are even a few tips for designing and maintaining your own website. WriteNowCoach.com/blog WriteNowCoach.com/blog is â€Å"where someday becomes write now.† Rochelle Melander, author, book coach, and teacher, regularly interviews successful writers and posts articles to help motivate and inspire aspiring authors. She offers writers really valuable tips on overcoming procrastination and how to write through doubt. She also has a series of interviews with other writers, entitled Writers@Work, as varied as Liam Callanan (The Cloud Atlas), and marketing expert Mike Farley. For Finding Your Tribe WritingCooperative.com Writing is inherently a solitary act, but writing does not exist in a vacuum and writers need communities to grow in. That’s why writers in need of a community should visit sites like WritingCooperative.com, which is a community of writers â€Å"helping each other write better.† They have writing challenges and have a group on Slack. TheWritersAlleyBlog.com TheWritersAlleyBlog.com. The Writer’s Alley, made up of eleven writers who have made it their mission â€Å"to glorify God through [their] writing.† They’re a friendly, inspiring group of writers who post #TipfulTuesdays, helpful writing tips for beginners, and articles with topics ranging from how to overcome self-doubt as a writer to tips about choosing the headshot for your dust jacket. WritersandEditors.com WritersandEditors.com by Pat McNees, a writer and editor with decades of experience under her belt, is a wonderfully supportive community of writers and editors who talk about the A to Z’s of writing, editing, and publishing. You’ll receive straightforward, no-nonsense career advice (such as: â€Å"Q: Can I make a living as a writer? A: As a poet, generally, no). You get notes on etiquette in the publishing industry, plus thoughtful articles on ethics, style guides, rights and contracting, and all sorts of news and issues present in the publishing industry today. WittyTitleHere.com WittyTitleHere.com is â€Å"for female writers who give a damn.† Witty Title Here is a place for feminist writers and readers, and features essays on writing (â€Å"finding your why†), empowerment, and telling your story. It’s also a great resource for writing prompts, resources, and challenges. Check out #ResolveToWrite and Witty Title Here’s Writer Spotlight series for oodles of inspiration. Aliventures.com Aliventures.com is an excellent community for writers concerned with â€Å"mastering the art, craft, and business of writing.† Ali Luke defines the art of writing as â€Å"why we do what we do,† the craft as â€Å"the techniques of writing well,† and the business of writing as â€Å"non-writing stuff that supports your writing.† Join aliventures.com if you’re a freelancer looking to find time to write and master the ins and outs of promotion, getting clients, and ebook sales. For Publishing Your Book JaneFriedman.com Jane Friedman of JaneFriedman.com has been in publishing for over twenty years and counting. You’ve probably already heard of her: she co-founded The Hot Sheet, an essential publishing industry newsletter, wrote The Business of Being a Writer, and regularly posts infinitely useful resources and practical tips on becoming a published author, as well as tips on marketing, promotion, and craft. WritersRelief.com/blog WritersRelief.com/blog has helped authors reach their publishing goals since 1994. They offer advice to indie authors, as well as writers who want to break into the world of traditional publishing- advice like â€Å"How to Submit Short Stories and Poems to Literary Journals† and which writing groups to join. They also have tips on craft for writers who are just starting out. AnneRAllen.com/blog AnneRAllen.com’s blog is chock-full of practical advice on how to get over writer’s block and crippling self-doubt, and it’s also an excellent place for industry advice. Anne and Ruth offer  advice on social media etiquette (see: â€Å"Want Reviews, Guest Posts, Spotlights, Interviews? Treat Bloggers With Respect!†) and how not to turn off your readers and the rest of the publishing world by attempting to copyright the word â€Å"cocky.† BooksandSuch.com/blog BooksandSuch.com/blog has a great variety of articles from the art and craft of writing to recommended reading. But the ladies of BooksandSuch.com shine the brightest when they’re talking about the publishing industry- about how to get an agent, if you’re ready for one, and how to write a proposal to catch an editor or agent’s eye. Check out articles like â€Å"Use High Quality Proposal Ingredients† and â€Å"Rumors and How to Combat Them† for some excellent industry advice. ShaylaRaquel.com Shayla Raquel is an expert editor, seasoned writer, and author-centric marketer. She started ShaylaRaquel.com to help  new and established authors market themselves with great, practical tips on marketing from Wall Street Journal bestselling authors, email marketing tips and tricks, and even how to create the best author website for your brand. TheCreativePenn.com Joanna Penn, author, started TheCreativePenn.com to help authors write, publish, and market their books. She’s got a ton of good advice about self-publishing; how to market your book; and how to make a living from your writing. Joanna is a bestselling author who writes under the name J.F. Penn and an award-winning entrepreneur, podcaster, and YouTuber. RookieWritersSolutions.com RookieWritersSolutions.com by Robin Murphy (author, traveler, and speaker) helps indie authors keep up to date on social media trends and indie publishing news. Robin also posts writing prompts and thoughtful pieces on writing and publishing books. Check out articles like â€Å"Virtual Book/Blog Tours† and her author interviews (with, for example, authors like Jacquelyn Wiles) for an extra dash of motivation. For Making a Living Copyblogger.com Writers who want to learn how to create content that sells will benefit a lot from a visit to Copyblogger.com. It’s one of the best sites for copywriters, freelancers, and marketing managers on the internet today. They have incredible advice on content marketing, email marketing, even client acquisition and honing your skills as a content writer. They’ve also made a number of really useful ebooks available on content writing and marketing, so go give them a visit. UntamedWriting.com UntamedWriting.com’s blog by Karen Marston (blogger, novelist, freelance copywriter) is all about the ins and outs of freelance copywriting. How do you get a client? How do you start writing for the Guardian? What copywriting don’ts should you avoid under any and all circumstances? Karen Marston posts about that and more in her delightful blog. GoinsWriter.com Jeff Goins is all about destroying the myth of the starving artist. With his books The Art of Work and Real Artists Don’t Starve, and now with his blog on GoinsWriter.com, Jeff Goins teaches you how to market your brand and your work, and how to let your craft or art work for you. He talks about personal branding, marketing and promotion, and most especially, why the myth of the starving artist has to die. MakeaLivingWriting.com MakeaLivingWriting.com is for the hungry freelance copywriter. Carol Tice, award-winning freelance writer, shares her secrets of how she went from content mills to author of several non-fiction books. She offers wonderfully practical advice on marketing, copywriting, and creating a brand that works for you. Check out her site for more information and a free report on what kind of freelance writer you are. LittleZotz.com LittleZotz.com’s blog is about writing for business and practical advice for writers who want to make a living by writing. It’s a wonderful resource for freelance writers in the middle of their career and for freelance writers who are just beginning to work up the courage to quit their day jobs and jump in. LittleZots.com’s blog is illustrated with rage comics-ish illustrations by Ramiro Roman, which adds a dash of fun and irreverence to practical tips like â€Å"Six Tips to Keep You Productive When Working from Home.† For Writers of YA and Kids’ Books taralazar.com Tara Lazar is a children’s book author and a mother of two. She blogs at taralazar.com and talks about the art of writing the children’s book. She regularly publishes tips and tricks, like guides for writing fractured fairy tales and several interviews with artists and writers of picture books for children. LiteraryRambles.com Literary Rambles was founded by Casey McCormick and has been continued by MG and YA writer, Natalie Aguirre, for the last seven years. In Natalie's Agent Spotlight series, Literary Rambles interviews children's book agents so that readers can keep their finger on the pulse of children's book publishing. LiteraryRambles.com also features debut MG and YA authors who share their insights on the craft of writing and becoming published; recently Natalie interviewed up and coming MG author Cindy Baldwin (Where the Watermelons Grows Kidlit411.com Kidlit411.com is a site for kids’ writers and illustrators, and they’ve got a Facebook community as well. They feature publishing news; tips on craft, publishing, and marketing your picture book; and interviews with great authors and illustrators in the picture book business. Check out their recent author spotlight, an inspiring interview with author Saadia Faruqi. Inkygirl.com Inkygirl.com is Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s site about reading, writing, and illustrating children’s books. The site is whimsical and colorful, featuring relatable web comics for writers, helpful advice on publishing your own picture books, and reading recommendations galore. Debbie has a wonderful voice and illustrative style; you’re not going to want to miss out on posts like â€Å"SCBWI Success Story, Creative Process and Jen Betton's upcoming debut solo picture book, HEDGEHOG NEEDS A HUG (June 19, 2018)† and â€Å"Writers illustrators: Learning to handle rejection is an essential skill, before AND after publication.† For a Little Bit of Everything TheWriteLife.com TheWriteLife.com has a little bit of everything for writers at any point in their career. They have excellent advice on everything from getting published, to marketing, to freelancing, blogging, and craft, with topics ranging from establishing a writing routine to plot, pacing, dialogue tags, to finding time to write when you have kids. WritersDigest.com Another great all-around site, community, and blog for aspiring writers, intermediate writers, and even published authors is WritersDigest.com. They’ve been around for more than 90 years; they literally â€Å"wrote the book† on writing. Check out their site for invaluable advice on craft and publishing, as well as writer’s resources (podcasts, networking events, publishing and marketing tools), and many more articles sorted by genre, writer goals, and writing levels. Killzoneblog.com Killzoneblog.com is the joint blog of top suspense writers and publishing professionals (Clare Langley-Hawthorne, Sue Coletta, Kathryn Lilly, PJ Parrish, John Gilstrap, Laura Benedict, Jordan Dane, Elaine Viets, Debbie Burke, Joe Hartlaub, Mark Alpert, and James Scott Bell). They take turns every day talking about everything to do with publishing, marketing, craft, and the art of writing. WriterUnboxed.com WriterUnboxed.com is â€Å"about the craft and business of fiction† delivers advanced craft tips from a stable of 50+ contributors (including industry pros and bestselling novelists), advice on perseverance, and industry news. Comments at WU are often as valuable as the posts themselves, driven by WU's diverse community. The site is run by co-founder and editorial director Therese Walsh, who is also a published novelist. WritersTreasure.com WritersTreasure.com is a treasure trove of great tips on honing your craft, mastering clarity, plotting, and even citing sources in your writing. The blog, run by editor, writer, and proofreader Idrees Patel, also features several guest authors with invaluable information on everything from freelancing to thesis writing and so much more. WritersEdit.com WritersEdit.com is a wonderful resource for indie and DIY authors. The site offers lots of practical advice for beginning authors looking to get into Amazon publishing, dealing with criticism, and tips on productivity. They also offer classes in freelance writing, fiction writing, and keep a list of competitions and opportunities for writers of any level. WritetoDone.com WritetoDone.com says â€Å"unmissable articles on writing† right on its tagline, and it doesn’t disappoint. From the importance of beta readers to vlogging to content marketing, book promotion, and tips on writing a killer book proposal, WritetoDone.com has everything for beginning writers to seasoned publishing industry professionals, indie authors, and authors looking to break into traditional publishing. DailyWritingTips.com DailyWritingTips.com has, well, daily writing tips. But they don’t have just daily writing tips, they have tips on business writing, grammar and punctuation, style, spelling, improving your vocabulary, and mistakes you can avoid in fiction, copywriting, and otherwise. They’ve also got a lot of writing challenges and quizzes to keep you entertained the whole day. AngelaBooth.biz AngelaBooth.biz by Angela Booth- copywriter, ghostwriter, author, marketer, and writing coach- is a compendium of all the knowledge Angela has collected over her decades in the publishing industry. She offers classes for writers and edifying articles like â€Å"Fiction: 3 Quick Tips to Write a Novel in a Month† and â€Å"Professional Writing: The Essential Process You Need For Success.† Check her site out for a well-balanced look at the art of writing and how you can make a real living out of your craft. WebsiteSetup.org WebSiteSetup.org is a great blog for any writer interested in setting up their own website/blog. WebSiteSetup has many guides on everything that goes around writer platforms. It also provides easy-to-follow guides dedicated to blogging and social media. If you're interested in starting a blog, check out "How to Start a Blog" guide, it shows everything a writer need to know in order to start blogging (in step-by-step fashion). If you simply follow the blogging tutorials on WebSiteSetup, you'll get your blog up and running in less than 30-minutes.    If you think your website should be added to this list, let us know by submitting your blog for review.

This Is How To Upgrade Your Social Messages + Boost Engagement [New]

This Is How To Upgrade Your Social Messages + Boost Engagement [New] Social media is SUPER competitive. You’re vying for people’s attention in *extremely* busy newsfeeds. You’re competing with â€Å"Cat Ninja† a dozen-and-a-half selfies And other companiesjust like you. You’ve got to do something to stand out. And sadly that standard ratio of ONE photo to ONE post for every message†¦ †¦just isn’t cutting it. In fact, it can get pretty boringfor you AND your audience. Which is why we’re excited to announce your newest feature: Multi-Image Posts from ! (Also available on our Mobile app!) Stand out in the crowd on Facebook, Twitter, AND Instagram (without all the extra hassle) Boost your social engagement†¦ Get MORE clicks + shares, and ultimately, MORE peeps back to your website without putting ‘em to sleep with the same message format over-and-over again. 😠´ Because with Multi-Image Posts, you can: Easily share multiple images in a single social message. Eliminate the hassle of creating multiple posts to share a series of images. Simply insert the images you want into your message to share more  with your audience  (with less effort). Quickly access images for a specific campaignin ONE place. Create your social messages faster without having to manually add images from your desktop. Easily access all your saved photos from the *new* built-in image gallery. Prioritize + optimize the order of your images in your social message. Easily rearrange, add, or delete images based on what’s important to YOU, your audience, and the social network’s image requirements. No more guessing!  Never worry if your multi-image post will display correctly or if it meets specific social requirements. Let intelligently optimize your multi-image post based on industry best practices. Not only will you have the ability to diversify your social messages†¦ AND increase your engagement but it’s going to be easy as pie. (And that’s the way it should be). ðŸ™Å'