This paper discusses how software projects following different processes, which display disparate characteristics, have been categorized and analyzed using statistical techniques to measure and improve process capability. The analysis shows that language type, size of the application and complexity (represented by ratio of Total Project Effort to Build Phase Effort) are the predominant discrimi...

This paper explores the potential of microfinance in post-conflict economies, and specifically examines policy considerations for the case of Iraq. It presents important conditions of the post-conflict economy, and examines three critical requirements for successful microfinance operations, as outlined by the Microenterprises Best Practices Project. Political stability, economic demand and popu...

PURPOSE The purpose of this review is to provide guidance that aids in the practical design, implementation, and analysis of medication use evaluations (MUEs) for postsurgical pain management. SUMMARY Clinicians have long employed drug use evaluations or drug utilization reviews to ensure the safe and appropriate use of medications in a hospital, medical practice, or other healthcare setting....

When deploying new SCM (software configuration management) tools, implementers sometimes focus on perfecting fine-grained activities, while unwittingly carrying forward poor, large-scale practices from their previous jobs or previous tools. The result is a well-executed blunder. This paper promotes some high-level best practices that reflect the authors’ experiences in deploying SCM. High-level...

Results from the Arkansas Beef Audit indicated producers with small cow­calf herds placed a high value on the lifestyle, and it was clear from the findings that they managed their herds as much for heritage’s sake – or family legacy – as for profitability. This group understood they make up the largest volume of beef producers in Arkansas and indicated the belief that the public had a posi­ tiv...

This article urges counseling psychology researchers to recognize and report how missing data are handled, because consumers of research cannot accurately interpret findings without knowing the amount and pattern of missing data or the strategies that were used to handle those data. Patterns of missing data are reviewed, and some of the common strategies for dealing with them are described. The...

Manufacturing organizations seek to effectively integrate diverse service participants and their resources into a synthesized activity and also to make use of available assets efficiently. In pursuit of these goals companies follow a common strategy of implementing what are called “Best Practices” in the supply chains. Our aim is to examine if the best practices proposed for the manufacturing s...

Despite the importance of protected areas (PAs) worldwide to protect biodiversity, reduce poverty and promote sustainable development, throughout the world governments struggle to adequately fund PAs to meet conservation goals. Tourism is seen as a viable financial option for PAs, with tourism concessions through private sector partnerships gaining momentum that allows the overarching goal of p...

This study evaluated the bacteria removal efficiency, re-suspension and survivability within two structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) called Vortechs installed at two different sites in Providence, Rhode Island. Twelve rain storms were sampled during years 2004 and 2005. Five pathogenic indicator bacteria, E. coli, enterococci, fecal streptococci, total coliform, fecal coliform, were ana...

Anthracnose (caused by Colletotrichum cereale) is a destructive fungal disease of weakened turf that occurs throughout the U.S., Canada and Western Europe (15) and is particularly severe on annual bluegrass (Poa annua). The frequency and severity of anthracnose epiphytotics on golf course greens has increased over the past decade (13,14) and is thought to be associated with some of the manageme...