Tried and True - but Late! Using Lean Six-Sigma Problem Solving to Analyze ERP Software Change Management Performance

One of the most common challenges that businesses face today is the constant pressure of global competition. Technology is the tool of choice for executing excellence in the marketplace. As a result, the dilemma of needing to deliver software change at an accelerated pace is extremely normal and many organization struggle to identify what approach will work best for them. At the same time, it is not unusual for humans to jump to conclusions before thoroughly examining a problem and taking in all available facts. After viewing a few symptoms, conclusions are made, action plans are formed and then wonderment arrives when the problem remains unsolved. The intention of this project was to partner with a large organization immersed in this struggle and use Lean Six Sigma as the mechanism for learning why their software delivery is tried and true – but late. The goal of this specific project is to discover and define performance requirements and associated metrics by employing a problem solving method commonly used in Six Sigma initiatives referred to as the DMAIC method. The result of this research project was a surprising mix of outcomes that speak to the need to balance culture, process, and architecture. The project client did not have any internal service level agreements. When outlining the factors critical to quality, they were confused and struggled to define quality of process. The idea of learning how to improve software change management through the use of metrics was new for them and produced some fear mixed with hopeful excitement. The historical data proved incredibly difficult to acquire and convert into usable form. This was due to the architectural choices made when the software change management system was created. A short-term focus on an incomplete set of use cases rendered the system forever hostile for reporting and analysis. The content of the historical data was minimal in value. There was no data to use for comparing due dates with delivery dates. Effort was not being tracked. The only means of measuring work activities was to measure the time duration within work flow steps. The strength of DMAIC is the discipline of following the data. This helps teams avoid pursuing erroneous leads or tempting short-cuts that ultimately leave the problem unresolved. Despite obstacles, the goal of defining software performance metrics was met. This was due to the fact that DMAIC works well as a tool for learning because it is a disciplined approach with a wide array of tools that also serve a need for flexibility under certain conditions

Redesigning Pitzer\u27s East Mesa Parking Lot

Pitzer College’s East Mesa parking lot has been greatly outgrown and hardly adapted in its history. This thesis aims to redesign the lot as something highly usable for the present as well as the future needs of the school. At the core of the design are three design principles: Biophilic design, Human Centered Design, and adaptable architecture. I also pulled conceptual ideas from three precedent buildings from both on and off campus. The on-campus sites are Pomona’s “The Hive” and Harvey Mudd’s “Makerspace” and the off campus site is JaJa Architects’ PARK’N’PLAY. Utilizing each of the three principles in conjunction with the design precedents I created a parking garage that addresses parking needs and utilizes the large footprint of the parking lot to expand Pitzer’s Environmental Analysis program to a much larger space in addition to implementing climate resilient design such as solar energy and water retention. This project is an example of applicable forward thinking building as the design world looks to how it must adapt to climate change

Workmen\u27s Compensation

Covers cases on hearsay evidence—doctor\u27s opinion

Turnbow v. Commissioner—Rejection of the Boot Exception to a Type B Reorganization?

The United States Supreme Court in Turnbow v. Commissioner may have interpreted the Internal Revenue Code to preclude the receipt of boot in a non-taxable, stock for stock reorganization. Although the Court was interpreting the application of Section 112 of the 1939 Code, the decision may be decisive in the interpretation of the parallel sections in the 1954 Code

The Convergence of Science and Culture: Developing a Framework for Diabetes Education in Tribal Communities

In an unprecedented effort to address the epidemic of diabetes in tribal communities, the Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools project brought together a group of individuals from eight tribal colleges and three federal agencies to develop a diabetes prevention curriculum for American Indian and Alaska Native school children. The curriculum incorporates Western and Native science with culturally responsive teaching techniques. Both the project and its evaluation process have reached beyond conventional bounds to acknowledge fundamental issues of tribal culture, history and health and the integration of science, culture, and community. This article will discuss the challenges and rewards of the inter-cultural dynamics of the project’s development process, the tribal community context within which the curriculum will be implemented, and the necessary convergence of science and culture, requisite for education in this population and the elimination of diabetes-related health disparities

Serologic protection to routine vaccinations in children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background: Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently involves the aggressive use of immunosuppressants that increases susceptibility to and severity of other infections. Consequently, many individuals postpone or refuse immunizations due to unstable disease activity and of fear of disease exacerbation. The aim was to evaluate serologic protection to and completeness of routine vaccinations in children with IBD.   Methods: In this single-center cross-sectional study, children with IBD followed at the Alberta Children's Hospital were recruited from September 15, 2011 to August 15, 2012. Vaccination records and serum were collected for rubella, hepatitis A virus (HAV), and hepatitis B (HBV) virus serology and analyzed by the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health.   Results: 155 children with IBD underwent serum collection; complete vaccine records were available for 152 of these children. At enrolment, 93 participants (60.0%) were using immunosuppressive medications; an additional 30 participants had a history of medical immunosuppression. Of 155 participants, 69.7% had up to date MMR, DTap-IPV-Hib, and HBV immunizations. Of those who had completed the specific vaccinations, serologic immunity ranged from 61% to 79%, while the proportion of those on immunosuppressive medications ranged from 63% to 81%.   Conclusions: Children with IBD are at risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses due to lack of receiving complete vaccine series and mounting an inadequate serologic response to vaccinations. Serologic response to vaccinations was independent of immunomodulator therapy, suggesting that the immunosuppression is a consequence of the IBD diagnosis.  Therefore, clinicians caring for patients with IBD should be conscientious about adherence to recommended vaccination schedules, measurement of immune response to vaccines, and administering booster vaccinations where appropriate

The Significance of a K-12 Diabetes-Based Science Education Program for Tribal Populations: Evaluating Cognitive Learning, Cultural Context, and Attitudinal Components

Preventing and reducing the onset of type 2 diabetes among American Indian/Alaska Native youth requires ground-breaking strategies to affect knowledge, attitudes, and cognitive decision-making skills. In an unparalleled endeavor to address the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in tribal communities, a K-12 Diabetes Education in Tribal Schools (DETS) curriculum was created by eight tribal colleges and three federal agencies. This article highlights the results of the implementation phase, the final evaluation step in acquiring and measuring student knowledge and attitude gains through pre-post standardized assessment