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Strategic Planning

Definition

Planning involves selecting missions and objectives to reach a decision. Relationship planning and control handles objectives, enabling control over planning and execution.

Types of Planning

• Inactive: Satisfied with the status quo.
• Reactive: Resist change and value experience.
• Proactive: Not content with the current state but await the future.
• Interactive: Design and plan the future.

Strategic Planning Process

Strategic planning defines the company's vision and mission, crucial for its success. Poor planning can lead to failure.

Strategic Planning Model

Elements include inputs, encompassing everything involved in the company or product.

Organizational Structures

Group Structure

Advantages

• Reflects functions.
• Simplifies training.

Audit Engagement and Process

The Charter Manager demonstrates commitment to the audit engagement.

Preparation Work

The office is made available to auditors, and all necessary documentation is prepared.

Internal and External Management Control

• Internal: Review of documentation within the company.
• External: Review of documentation related to customers and suppliers.

Key Audit Elements

• Audit Evidence: Observations of business operations.
• Working Papers: Documentation forming the basis of the audit.
• Audit Report: The final document summarizing the audit findings and opinion, indicating a “yes” or “no” conclusion.

Companies Obligated to Audit

Companies are obligated to undergo an audit if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Total assets exceeding

Understanding the Rational Allocation Model

The rational allocation model is a complementary model to homogeneous sections, which takes into account the level of activity of the company. Its basic premise is that variations in the level of activity cause changes in the cost figures from the perspective of the Full Cost. It is intended to prevent fluctuations in activity levels from affecting the cost of products, and therefore the outcome of the exercise.

Variable Costs

Variable costs are totally related to the level of activity. Therefore, these costs will increase or decrease as the level of activity does. These variable costs (VC) are usually fixed per unit of product. Therefore, they will not present distortions in the cost figures.

Fixed Costs

Fixed... Continue reading "Understanding the Rational Allocation Model for Cost Management" »

Ecosystem Approaches Defined

Ecosystem approaches represent a line of thought and methodological strategies for analyzing and modeling the complex system of biophysical interrelationships, including humans, that define the biosphere. They take the ecosystem as a unit of study and search, through existing knowledge, for unifying principles to explain its organization and dynamics. This helps to understand the workings of the natural environment and the cause-effect relationships that are established when these principles are applied.

Goals of Ecosystem Approaches

The ultimate goal of an ecosystem approach is to facilitate the creation of exploitation-conservation models for the natural environment, including resources that are sustainable over... Continue reading "Ecosystem Approaches: Principles for Sustainability" »

Impact of Psychosocial Factors

Physiological Consequences

Such problems occur, leading to increased blood pressure, fatigue, muscle tension, sleep disorders, and psychosomatic symptoms.

Psychological Consequences

Workers may experience problems such as anxiety, irritability, dissatisfaction, difficulty making decisions, emotional exhaustion, and substance abuse.

Altered Behavior

Manifestations include obsessive, rigid, and unthinking behaviors, decreased work performance, absenteeism, excessive substance and alcohol use, and difficulties in personal and work relationships.

Physical Health Problems

Emergence of somatic complaints, musculoskeletal disorders, hypertension, gastric ulcers, loss of antibodies, and increased vulnerability to infection, which... Continue reading "Workplace Psychosocial Risks and Prevention" »

Organizational Structure: Foundations of Business

The formal organization of a company must be well-structured, clearly defining the division of labor. An effective structure assigns workers to roles where they are most capable, often leading to the formation of specialized departments.

Types of Organizational Division

• Division by Function: Workers are organized according to their specialization and capacity, depending on the specific tasks they perform.
• Division by Geographical Area: Employees are organized based on their knowledge of the area to which a product or service is intended.
• Division by Product: Used in companies that manufacture more than one product, this refers to grouping workers based on the final product obtained.
• Division by Departments

Agile vs. Traditional Methodologies

This table compares key differences between Agile and Traditional software development methodologies:

Production System

Physical and abstract

Natural and processed

Of man and machine

Systems and subsystems

Production System can be classified into two processes and orders

Relationships and Constraints of Production Systems

They can be grouped into two classes: the objectives and resource constraints

The Production Function

Interrelation: what, how, and for whom

To produce, how to produce, and for whom

Productivity and Production Function

Productivity is the ratio of production achieved and resources used to obtain it

The production function should focus on physical and economic activities

Physical function: generating goods and services

Economic role: generating utilities

Social function: generates changes

Types of Production Systems

• Continuous production
• Intermittent

Chapter 5: Maintenance Productivity Indicators

Introduction

As discussed in Chapter 2, effective maintenance management not only boosts productivity within the maintenance department but also positively impacts the entire enterprise. To assess a plant's status, it's essential to measure various processes, including the performance of both physical and human resources. Companies use key performance indicators (KPIs), calculated over specific periods and compared with previous periods, to achieve this.

Using Performance Indicators

This comparison allows administrative and supervisory directors to understand the current business state and identify opportunities for process improvement, efficiency gains, and performance enhancements. Performance... Continue reading "Maintenance Productivity Indicators: A Comprehensive Guide" »

Concept of Risk

Risk is inherent in any activity. Every event is influenced by past actions, creating future opportunities or challenges. Change involves risk and uncertainty.

Risk Strategies

Reactive Strategies

These involve evaluating the consequences of a risk after it has occurred and acting accordingly. However, this can lead to crises and put projects at risk.

Proactive Strategies

• Systematic risk assessment
• Planning for risk avoidance and minimization
• Developing contingency plans

Proactive strategies reduce reaction time and demonstrate preparedness.

Risk Categories

• Generic Risks: Common to all projects.
• Specific Risks: Require in-depth project knowledge.

Project Risk Areas

Project Costs

Includes increased organizational costs and budget overruns.

Technical