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Structural Elements of a Business Include: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you dreaming of launching your own business? Or perhaps you're looking to revamp your existing enterprise and boost its efficiency and profitability? Understanding the fundamental structural elements of a business is crucial for success. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the essential components that form the backbone of any thriving organization, providing you with a clear roadmap to build and strengthen your own entrepreneurial venture. We'll explore everything from the legal structure to operational processes, ensuring you leave with a solid grasp of what it truly takes to build a robust and resilient business.
I. Defining the Legal Structure: Choosing the Right Foundation
The legal structure you choose for your business significantly impacts its liability, taxation, and administrative burdens. The most common options in the US include:
Sole Proprietorship: This is the simplest structure, where the business and the owner are legally indistinguishable. It's easy to set up but offers limited liability protection. Your personal assets are at risk if the business incurs debt or faces lawsuits.
Partnership: Involves two or more individuals who share in the profits and losses of the business. Like sole proprietorships, partnerships typically offer limited liability protection. Different types of partnerships exist (general, limited, limited liability), each with its own implications.
Limited Liability Company (LLC): This structure combines the benefits of sole proprietorships/partnerships with the liability protection of a corporation. Owners (members) enjoy limited liability, meaning their personal assets are protected from business debts and lawsuits. LLC's offer flexibility in management and taxation.
Corporation (S Corp or C Corp): Corporations are more complex to establish and maintain, involving more stringent regulatory requirements. They offer the strongest liability protection, separating the owners' personal assets from the business. "S Corps" and "C Corps" differ in how they are taxed. C Corps are taxed separately from their owners, while S Corps pass their income through to their shareholders. Choosing between these structures depends heavily on factors like tax implications, liability concerns, and long-term growth plans.
II. Operational Structure: Streamlining Processes for Efficiency
Beyond the legal framework, the operational structure dictates how your business functions day-to-day. This encompasses several key areas:
Organizational Chart: A visual representation of the hierarchy and reporting structure within your business. It clarifies roles, responsibilities, and the flow of communication. A well-defined organizational chart minimizes confusion and promotes efficient workflows.
Departmentalization: Grouping similar tasks and responsibilities into distinct departments (e.g., marketing, sales, production, finance). This specialization allows for increased efficiency and expertise within each area.
Workflow Processes: Clearly defined steps involved in completing specific tasks or projects. Streamlining these processes—eliminating redundancies and bottlenecks—is crucial for optimizing productivity and minimizing errors.
Technology and Infrastructure: The technology and systems used to support business operations, from computers and software to communication networks and physical infrastructure. Investing in appropriate technology can significantly improve efficiency and scalability.
Supply Chain Management: The process of managing the flow of goods and services, from raw materials to finished products and delivery to customers. Effective supply chain management ensures timely delivery and minimizes disruptions.
III. Financial Structure: Securing Funding and Managing Resources
A solid financial structure is essential for the survival and growth of any business. This involves several critical components:
Funding Sources: Identifying and securing the necessary capital to launch and operate the business. This may include personal savings, loans, investments, or grants.
Budgeting and Forecasting: Creating realistic budgets and financial forecasts to track expenses, manage cash flow, and plan for future investments. Accurate forecasting is vital for making informed business decisions.
Accounting and Financial Reporting: Maintaining accurate financial records, generating regular financial reports, and adhering to all relevant accounting standards. This provides crucial insights into the business's financial health.
Financial Controls: Implementing internal controls to prevent fraud, errors, and inefficiencies in financial processes. These controls can range from simple checks and balances to sophisticated auditing systems.
IV. Human Resource Structure: Building and Managing Your Team
The people who work for your business are its most valuable asset. An effective human resource structure includes:
Recruitment and Hiring: Developing effective strategies for attracting, screening, and hiring qualified employees. This involves defining job descriptions, conducting interviews, and performing background checks.
Training and Development: Providing employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively. This includes onboarding new hires, providing ongoing training, and offering opportunities for professional development.
Compensation and Benefits: Establishing competitive compensation packages and benefits programs to attract and retain top talent. This may include salaries, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Performance Management: Developing systems for evaluating employee performance, providing feedback, and addressing performance issues. Regular performance reviews are essential for fostering growth and improvement.
V. Marketing and Sales Structure: Reaching Your Target Audience
Getting your product or service into the hands of your customers requires a well-defined marketing and sales structure:
Market Research and Analysis: Understanding your target market, their needs, and their preferences. This involves conducting market research, analyzing competitor offerings, and identifying opportunities for growth.
Marketing Strategy: Developing a comprehensive marketing plan to reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and drive sales. This might include digital marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, and traditional advertising.
Sales Process: Defining the steps involved in selling your product or service, from initial contact to closing the deal. This may involve building relationships, handling objections, and negotiating terms.
eBook Outline: Structural Elements of a Business
I. Introduction: Defining the importance of understanding business structure.
II. Legal Structure: Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLC, Corporation (S Corp & C Corp). Includes legal considerations and tax implications.
III. Operational Structure: Organizational chart, departmentalization, workflow processes, technology & infrastructure, supply chain management.
IV. Financial Structure: Funding sources, budgeting & forecasting, accounting & reporting, financial controls.
V. Human Resource Structure: Recruitment & hiring, training & development, compensation & benefits, performance management.
VI. Marketing & Sales Structure: Market research, marketing strategy, sales process.
VII. Conclusion: Recap of key structural elements and their interconnectedness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the best legal structure for a small business? The best structure depends on your specific needs and circumstances. Consult with a legal and financial professional to determine the optimal choice for your situation.
2. How do I create an effective organizational chart? Start by identifying key roles and responsibilities, then determine reporting relationships. Use clear visuals and avoid overly complex structures.
3. What are the key elements of a successful marketing strategy? A successful strategy includes defining your target audience, crafting a compelling message, selecting appropriate channels, and tracking results.
4. How important is budgeting for a new business? Budgeting is crucial for managing cash flow, making informed decisions, and ensuring the long-term viability of your business.
5. What are some common mistakes businesses make with their human resources? Common mistakes include neglecting employee training, failing to provide adequate compensation, and neglecting performance management.
6. How can I improve my supply chain management? Improving supply chain management involves optimizing inventory levels, streamlining logistics, and building strong relationships with suppliers.
7. What are the essential components of a financial report? Essential components include income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and statement of owner’s equity.
8. How do I choose the right technology for my business? Consider your business needs, budget, and scalability requirements when selecting technology solutions.
9. What is the difference between an S Corp and a C Corp? S Corps pass their income through to shareholders, avoiding double taxation. C Corps are taxed separately from their shareholders.
Related Articles:
1. Choosing the Right Business Entity for Your Startup: A guide to selecting the optimal legal structure based on various factors.
2. Building a High-Performing Team: Effective Human Resource Strategies: Tips for attracting, retaining, and managing top talent.
3. Mastering Your Business Finances: A Beginner's Guide to Budgeting and Forecasting: A step-by-step guide to creating and managing a business budget.
4. Creating a Killer Marketing Plan: Proven Strategies for Success: Practical steps to develop and implement a successful marketing strategy.
5. Optimizing Your Supply Chain for Efficiency and Profitability: Strategies for streamlining your supply chain and reducing costs.
6. Understanding Financial Statements: A Guide for Small Business Owners: A comprehensive explanation of key financial reports and their interpretations.
7. Developing Effective Workflow Processes for Increased Productivity: Methods for streamlining workflows and eliminating bottlenecks.
8. The Importance of Technology in Modern Business: Exploring the role of technology in enhancing efficiency and competitiveness.
9. Legal Compliance for Small Businesses: Avoiding Common Pitfalls: A guide to navigating legal regulations and avoiding potential problems.
| structural elements of a business include: Structural System Analysis Vladimir Petrov, |
| structural elements of a business include: Structuring Your Business for Success Ira S. Kalb, 1992 |
| structural elements of a business include: Principles of Business & Management Oliver Laasch, 2024-03-07 In light of seismic global events including the Covid-19 pandemic; the Black Lives Matter movement; the war in Ukraine; and extreme weather incidents propelled by climate change, there has never been a more important time to learn about management in ways that not only benefit business, but also help confront the world’s challenges, support people and planet, and contribute to peace and prosperity for all. Fully revised and once again endorsed by the UN’s Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, this popular textbook equips you with the skills to become a responsibly, ethically and sustainably minded business professional. Featuring two brand-new chapters on Behaving and Digitalizing, over 50 new and updated case studies, pioneer interviews and practitioner profiles, as well as a wide range of exercises and worksheets, the book also integrates the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to help promote sustainable development as essential to business and management today. This essential textbook can be used for a wide range of courses from introductory business/management to responsible/sustainable management, business ethics, business and society, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Oliver Laasch is a Chaired Professor of Responsible Management at ESCP Business School, and an Adjunct Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Manchester. |
| structural elements of a business include: TOGAF® Business Architecture Level 1 Study Guide Andrew Josey, Steve Else, 2019-07-09 This title is the Study Guide for the TOGAF® Business Architecture Part 1 Examination. It gives an overview of every learning objective for the TOGAF Business Architecture Syllabus and in-depth coverage on preparing and taking the TOGAF Business Architecture Part 1 Examination. It is specifically designed to help individuals prepare for certification. This Study Guide is excellent material for: • Individuals who require knowledge and understanding of TOGAF Business Architecture techniques; • Professionals who are working in roles associated with an architecture project such as those responsible for planning, execution, development, delivery, and operation; • Architects who are looking to achieve the TOGAF Business Architecture Level 1 credential; • Architects who want to specialize in development of a Business Architecture based on the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2; It covers the following topics: • Business Modeling • Business Capabilities • Value Streams • Information Mapping • TOGAF Business Scenarios and how to apply them in development of a Business Architecture based on the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2. A prior knowledge of Enterprise Architecture is advantageous but not required. While reading this Study Guide, the reader should also refer to the TOGAF Standard, Version 9.2 documentation (manual), available as hard copy and eBook, from www.vanharen.net and online booksellers, and also available online at www.opengroup.org. |
| structural elements of a business include: Entrepreneurship and Management in Forestry and Wood Processing Franz Schmithüsen, Bastian Kaiser, Albin Schmidhauser, Stephan Mellinghoff, Karoline Perchthaler, Alfred W. Kammerhofer, 2015-05-08 Forestry has long been in a rather favourable position in offering a valuable raw material source in high demand. However, with rapidly changing end-user demands and cost competitiveness within the forest and wood chain as a whole, the industry is needing to adapt. Explaining entrepreneurial action as part of a chain of comprehensive value-added processes leads to a new perception of forest production and wood processing. This book applies the main concepts of modern managerial science to the world of forestry and is the perfect book for students studying forestry and wood processing, as well as entrepreneurs and managers within the sector. Topics are covered from an entrepreneurial perspective and include perspectives from accounting, finance, economics, supply chain management, marketing and strategy. |
| structural elements of a business include: Decision Support Systems IX: Main Developments and Future Trends Paulo Sérgio Abreu Freitas, Fatima Dargam, José Maria Moreno, 2019-05-20 This book constitutes the proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Decision Support Systems Technologies, ICDSST 2019, held in Madeira, Portugal, in May 2019. This year the conference is a EURO mini conference and therefore has a slightly different acronym: EmC-ICDSST 2019. The EWG-DSS series of International Conference on Decision Support System Technology (ICDSST), starting with ICDSST 2015 in Belgrade, was planned to consolidate the tradition of annual events organized by the EWG-DSS in offering a platform for European and international DSS communities, comprising the academic and industrial sectors, to present state-of-the-art DSS research and developments, to discuss current challenges that surround decision-making processes, to exchange ideas about realistic and innovative solutions, and to co-develop potential business opportunities. The main topic of this year’s conference was “Main Developments and Future Trends”. The 11 papers presented in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 59 submissions. They were organized in topical sections named: decision support systems in societal issues; decision support systems in industrial and business applications; and advances in decision support systems’ methods and technologies. |
| structural elements of a business include: Introduction to Operations and Supply Chain Management Cecil C. Bozarth, Robert B. Handfield, 2006 Audience: Core courses in Operations Management. Approach: First text to provide an integrated and comprehensive treatment of both operations and supply chain management. Competitors: Stevenson, Chase/Aquilano/Jacobs, Reid/Sanders, Finch, Burt/Dobler, and Russell/Taylor. |
| structural elements of a business include: Operations and Service Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications Management Association, Information Resources, 2017-11-30 Organizations of all types are consistently working on new initiatives, product lines, and workflows as a way to remain competitive in the modern business environment. No matter the type of project at hand, employing the best methods for effective execution and timely completion of the task is essential to business success. Operations and Service Management: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications is a comprehensive reference source for the latest research on business operations and production processes. It examines the need for a customer focus and highlights a range of pertinent topics such as financial performance measures, human resource development, and business analytics, this multi-volume book is ideally designed for managers, professionals, students, researchers, and academics interested in operations and service management. |
| structural elements of a business include: Introduction to Business Lawrence J. Gitman, Carl McDaniel, Amit Shah, Monique Reece, Linda Koffel, Bethann Talsma, James C. Hyatt, 2024-09-16 Introduction to Business covers the scope and sequence of most introductory business courses. The book provides detailed explanations in the context of core themes such as customer satisfaction, ethics, entrepreneurship, global business, and managing change. Introduction to Business includes hundreds of current business examples from a range of industries and geographic locations, which feature a variety of individuals. The outcome is a balanced approach to the theory and application of business concepts, with attention to the knowledge and skills necessary for student success in this course and beyond. This is an adaptation of Introduction to Business by OpenStax. You can access the textbook as pdf for free at openstax.org. Minor editorial changes were made to ensure a better ebook reading experience. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. |
| structural elements of a business include: Fire Officer: Principles and Practice includes Navigate Advantage Access Michael J. Ward, 2019-12-18 The fourth edition of Fire Officer: Principles and Practice was significantly updated and reorganized to better serve the Fire Officer I and Fire Officer II. The content meets and exceeds the job performance requirements for Fire Officer I and II in the 2020 Edition of NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officer Professional Qualifications. The new edition places an emphasis on the application of leadership traits and management theories, common leadership and management challenges, and how leadership is used to meet objectives. The basic principles and methods of Community Risk Reduction are also discussed. In addition, the program now has two distinct sections: Section One includes eight chapters, which set the foundation for Fire Officer I knowledge and understanding. Section Two comprises six chapters, which encompass the higher level competencies required for Fire Officer II. This new organization will allow you the flexibility to teach your Fire Officer I and II course(s) exactly the way you wish. |
| structural elements of a business include: The TOGAF® Standard, 10th Edition - Business Architecture The Open Group, 2022-04-26 This document is a compilation of TOGAF Series Guides addressing Business Architecture. It has been developed and approved by The Open Group and is part of the TOGAF Standard, 10th Edition. It consists of the following documents: TOGAF® Series Guide: Business Models This document provides a basis for Enterprise Architects to understand and utilize business models, which describe the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value. It covers the concept and purpose of business models and highlights the Business Model CanvasTM technique. TOGAF® Series Guide: Business Capabilities, Version 2 This document answers key questions about what a business capability is, and how it is used to enhance business analysis and planning. It addresses how to provide the architect with a means to create a capability map and align it with other Business Architecture viewpoints in support of business planning processes. TOGAF® Series Guide: Value Streams Value streams are one of the core elements of a Business Architecture. This document provides an architected approach to developing a business value model. It addresses how to identify, define, model, and map a value stream to other key components of an enterprise’s Business Architecture. TOGAF® Series Guide: Information Mapping This document describes how to develop an Information Map that articulates, characterizes, and visually represents information that is critical to the business. It provides architects with a framework to help understand what information matters most to a business before developing or proposing solutions. TOGAF® Series Guide: Organization Mapping This document shows how organization mapping provides the organizational context to an Enterprise Architecture. While capability mapping exposes what a business does and value stream mapping exposes how it delivers value to specific stakeholders, the organization map identifies the business units or third parties that possess or use those capabilities, and which participate in the value streams. TOGAF® Series Guide: Business Scenarios This document describes the Business Scenarios technique, which provides a mechanism to fully understand the requirements of information technology and align it with business needs. It shows how Business Scenarios can be used to develop resonating business requirements and how they support and enable the enterprise to achieve its business objectives. |
| structural elements of a business include: Understanding Complexity in Organizations Timothy Ludwig, Ramona Houmanfar, 2015-02-11 Organizations are complex entities that must adapt the practices of their employees and management to meet the demands of a dynamic environment. Organizations are behavioral systems that coordinate interactions among its members and environment. Changing practices in one area of an organization can generate a reaction throughout the entire system, thus affecting the behaviors of those working within other areas, the experience of customers, and important organizational results. Behavioral Systems Analysis (BSA) focuses on these complex contingencies from the macro system all the way down to individual behavior. This book contains articles by internationally recognized experts in Behavioral Systems Analysis who discuss the role of organizational practices in their study of performance improvement and cultural change from both practical and conceptual perspectives. Business and non-profit managers will find tools and case studies to help understand and diagnose their organization’s dynamics. Scholars will appreciate articles’ theory and real-world descriptions when considering their own research direction. Finally, all students of management theory, behavior analysis, and human resources will find this collection a thought-provoking tool for their understanding of behavioral systems and their application in organizations. This book was published as a special issue in the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management. |
| structural elements of a business include: Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Impact on Small Business United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Policy Analysis and Integration Staff, 1976 |
| structural elements of a business include: Production and Operations Management Singh S.P., This book covers the emerging and important topics related to production and operations management in a systematic way. It covers not only the essentials of planning, designing, managing and controlling of manufacturing operations, but also a number of relevant topics such as total preventive maintenance, environmental issues in production system, advanced production system, total productivity management and work system design, which are not covered in many books. The book is a useful resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students of MBA programmes, as well as B.Tech and M.Tech programmes of production and industrial engineering. Key Features • Theories and concepts based on day-to-day practical applications in the industry • Large number of solved examples to explain the theoretical concepts • Case study at the end of each chapter to illustrate the theory • Brings out the link between linear programming and its applications |
| structural elements of a business include: How to Write a Great Business Plan William A. Sahlman, 2008-03-01 Judging by all the hoopla surrounding business plans, you'd think the only things standing between would-be entrepreneurs and spectacular success are glossy five-color charts, bundles of meticulous-looking spreadsheets, and decades of month-by-month financial projections. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, often the more elaborately crafted a business plan, the more likely the venture is to flop. Why? Most plans waste too much ink on numbers and devote too little to information that really matters to investors. The result? Investors discount them. In How to Write a Great Business Plan, William A. Sahlman shows how to avoid this all-too-common mistake by ensuring that your plan assesses the factors critical to every new venture: The people—the individuals launching and leading the venture and outside parties providing key services or important resources The opportunity—what the business will sell and to whom, and whether the venture can grow and how fast The context—the regulatory environment, interest rates, demographic trends, and other forces shaping the venture's fate Risk and reward—what can go wrong and right, and how the entrepreneurial team will respond Timely in this age of innovation, How to Write a Great Business Plan helps you give your new venture the best possible chances for success. |
| structural elements of a business include: Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Impact on Small Business United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1976 |
| structural elements of a business include: Business Plasticity Through Disorganization Dinuka B. Herath, 2019-04-24 Disorganization occurs in all areas of modern business. This book presents a novel approach to both academics and practitioners on how to break the shackles of rigidity and eliminate our fear of disorganization. |
| structural elements of a business include: Shared Services as a New Organizational Form Tanya Bondarouk, 2014-07-31 What do shared service models involve? Which business processes can and/or should be shared? This ASM volume deals with such questions relating to the increasingly popular use of Shared Service Centers in organizations. The volume intends to move beyond debating the relevance of shared services towards more systematic research action. |
| structural elements of a business include: Handbook of Environmental Psychology Robert B. Bechtel, Arza Churchman, 2003-01-17 An international team of leading scholars explores the latest theories, research, and applications critical to environmental psychology Featuring the latest research and concepts in the field straight from the world's leading scholars and practitioners, Handbook of Environmental Psychology provides a balanced and comprehensive overview of this rapidly growing field. Bringing together contributions from an international team of top researchers representing a myriad of disciplines, this groundbreaking resource provides you with a pluralistic approach to the field as an interdisciplinary effort with links to other disciplines. Addressing a variety of issues and practice settings, Handbook of Environmental Psychology is divided into five organized and accessible parts to provide a thorough overview of the theories, research, and applications at the forefront of environmental psychology today. Part I deals with sharpening theories; Part II links the subject to other disciplines; Part III focuses on methods; Part IV highlights applications; and Part V examines the future of the field. Defining the ongoing revolution in thinking about how the environment and psychology interact, Handbook of Environmental Psychology is must reading for anyone coping directly with the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors that are destroying our environment and putting our lives in jeopardy. Topics include: * Healthy design * Restorative environments * Links to urban planning * Contaminated environments * Women's issues * Environments for aging * Climate, weather, and crime * The history and future of disaster research * Children's environments * Personal space in a digital age * Community planning |
| structural elements of a business include: The Seismic Design Handbook Farzad Naeim, 2001-03-31 The Seismic Design Handbook is a primary resource for both researchers and teachers in the field of earthquake-resistant design. The first edition of this handbook was received with much enthusiasm. It is the de-facto textbook for teaching seismic design principles at many major universities. In the United States, UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, University of Southern California, SUNY Buffalo, the University of Illinois, Washington University, the University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Tech, Cornell, and the University of Michigan have adopted the text. Abroad, the Imperial College of London and the Israel Institute of Technology are among its adopters. This second edition contains up-to-date information on planning, analysis, and design of earthquake-resistant building structures. Its intention is to provide engineers, architects, developers, and students of structural engineering and architecture with authoritative, yet practical, design information. It bridges the gap between advances in the theories and concepts of seismic design and their implementation in practice. This handbook has been endorsed by the International Conference of Building Officials. Audience: The Seismic Design Handbook is a must for practicing engineers, architects, building officials, developers, teachers, and students in the field of earthquake-resistant building design. Its distinguished panel of contributors is made up of 22 experts from industry and universities, recognized for their knowledge and extensive practical experience in their fields. |
| structural elements of a business include: The Value of Knowledge Timothy Powell, 2020-07-06 Knowledge is an economic asset of great importance and value to the modern organization; however, it is too often not managed carefully as such. This book presents practical frameworks and methods for the knowledge professional — and his/her organization — to identify, actualize, and maximize the economic value of knowledge. |
| structural elements of a business include: Ciottone's Disaster Medicine - E-Book Gregory R. Ciottone, 2023-03-07 While medical specialists in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and response are needed worldwide, the initial phase of disaster response is almost entirely dependent upon local resources—making it essential that all healthcare personnel have a working knowledge of the field and stand ready to integrate into the response system. Ciottone's Disaster Medicine, 3rd Edition, is the most comprehensive reference available to help accomplish these goals in every community. It thoroughly covers isolated domestic events as well as global disasters and humanitarian crises. Dr. Gregory Ciottone and more than 200 worldwide authorities share their knowledge and expertise on the preparation, assessment, and management of both natural and man-made disasters, including lessons learned by the responders to contemporary disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian and western U.S. wildfires, European heatwaves, the Beirut explosion, recent hurricanes and typhoons, and the global refugee crisis. - Part 1 offers an A-to-Z resource for every aspect of disaster medicine and management, while Part 2 features an exhaustive compilation of every conceivable disaster event, organized to facilitate quick reference in a real-time setting. - Covers basic concepts such as identification of risks, organizational preparedness, equipment planning, disaster education and training, and more advanced concepts such as disaster risk reduction, health in complex emergencies, building local disaster resiliency, psychological impact of disasters on children, and more. - Contains new decision trees throughout that help guide you through the decision-making process in difficult situations. - Uses an easy-to-follow, templated approach to historical perspectives, overviews of current practice including pre-incident and post-incident actions, medical treatment of casualties, and potential pitfalls. - Includes updated sections on man-made disasters, including mass casualties, active shooter situations, integrated response to terrorist attacks, and chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear/high-yield explosives disasters. - Discusses the latest technologies, such as the use of mobile disaster applications, drone response systems, and virtual reality simulation training. - Features thoroughly updated information on crisis leadership, practical applications of disaster epidemiology, disaster and climate change, and the integration of non-government agencies (NGOs) in disaster response—a critical topic for those responding to humanitarian needs overseas. - Includes new chapters on Pandemic Preparedness and Response, Disaster Medicine in a Changing Climate, Disaster Response in Asia, Building Local Capacity and Disaster Resiliency, Civilian-Military Coordination in Disaster Response, Medical Simulation in Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Nursing, Crisis Meta-Leadership, Palliative Care in Disasters, Counter-Terrorism Medicine, SARS CoV (COVID-19 and SARS), and Disasters in Space Travel. - An eBook version is included with purchase. The eBook allows you to access all of the text, figures and references, with the ability to search, customize your content, make notes and highlights, and have content read aloud. |
| structural elements of a business include: TOGAF® Version 9.1 The Open Group, 2011-01-01 For trainers free additional material of this book is available. This can be found under the Training Material tab. Log in with your trainer account to access the material. TOGAF is a framework - a detailed method and a set of supporting tools - for developing an enterprise architecture, developed by members of The Open Group Architecture Forum. TOGAF Version 9.1 is a maintenance update to TOGAF 9, addressing comments raised since the introduction of TOGAF 9 in 2009. It retains the major features and structure of TOGAF 9, thereby preserving existing investment in TOGAF, and adds further detail and clarification to what is already proven.It may be used freely by any organization wishing to develop an enterprise architecture for use within that organization (subject to the Conditions of Use). This Book is divided into seven parts: Part I - Introduction This part provides a high-level introduction to the key concepts of enterprise architecture and in particular the TOGAF approach. It contains the definitions of terms used throughout TOGAF and release notes detailing the changes between this version and the previous version of TOGAF. Part II - Architecture Development Method This is the core of TOGAF. It describes the TOGAF Architecture Development Method (ADM) a step-by-step approach to developing an enterprise architecture. Part III - ADM Guidelines & Techniques This part contains a collection of guidelines and techniques available for use in applying TOGAF and the TOGAF ADM. Part IV - Architecture Content Framework This part describes the TOGAF content framework, including a structured metamodel for architectural artifacts, the use of re-usable architecture building blocks, and an overview of typical architecture deliverables. Part V - Enterprise Continuum & Tools This part discusses appropriate taxonomies and tools to categorize and store the outputs of architecture activity within an enterprise. Part VI - TOGAF Reference Models This part provides a selection of architectural reference models, which includes the TOGAF Foundation Architecture, and the Integrated Information Infrastructure Reference Model (III-RM). Part VII Architecture Capability Framework This section looks at roles, Governance, compliance skills and much more practical guidance |
| structural elements of a business include: Critical Code National Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Committee for Advancing Software-Intensive Systems Producibility, 2010-11-27 Critical Code contemplates Department of Defense (DoD) needs and priorities for software research and suggests a research agenda and related actions. Building on two prior booksâ€Summary of a Workshop on Software Intensive Systems and Uncertainty at Scale and Preliminary Observations on DoD Software Research Needs and Prioritiesâ€the present volume assesses the nature of the national investment in software research and, in particular, considers ways to revitalize the knowledge base needed to design, produce, and employ software-intensive systems for tomorrow's defense needs. Critical Code discusses four sets of questions: To what extent is software capability significant for the DoD? Is it becoming more or less significant and strategic in systems development? Will the advances in software producibility needed by the DoD emerge unaided from industry at a pace sufficient to meet evolving defense requirements? What are the opportunities for the DoD to make more effective use of emerging technology to improve software capability and software producibility? In which technology areas should the DoD invest in research to advance defense software capability and producibility? |
| structural elements of a business include: Business Statistics , 1940 |
| structural elements of a business include: Software Engineering Richard F Schmidt, 2013-04-30 Software Engineering: Architecture-driven Software Development is the first comprehensive guide to the underlying skills embodied in the IEEE's Software Engineering Body of Knowledge (SWEBOK) standard. Standards expert Richard Schmidt explains the traditional software engineering practices recognized for developing projects for government or corporate systems. Software engineering education often lacks standardization, with many institutions focusing on implementation rather than design as it impacts product architecture. Many graduates join the workforce with incomplete skills, leading to software projects that either fail outright or run woefully over budget and behind schedule. Additionally, software engineers need to understand system engineering and architecture—the hardware and peripherals their programs will run on. This issue will only grow in importance as more programs leverage parallel computing, requiring an understanding of the parallel capabilities of processors and hardware. This book gives both software developers and system engineers key insights into how their skillsets support and complement each other. With a focus on these key knowledge areas, Software Engineering offers a set of best practices that can be applied to any industry or domain involved in developing software products. - A thorough, integrated compilation on the engineering of software products, addressing the majority of the standard knowledge areas and topics - Offers best practices focused on those key skills common to many industries and domains that develop software - Learn how software engineering relates to systems engineering for better communication with other engineering professionals within a project environment |
| structural elements of a business include: Congressional Record United States. Congress, 1969 The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873) |
| structural elements of a business include: From Protein Structure to Function with Bioinformatics Daniel John Rigden, 2008-12-11 Proteins lie at the heart of almost all biological processes and have an incredibly wide range of activities. Central to the function of all proteins is their ability to adopt, stably or sometimes transiently, structures that allow for interaction with other molecules. An understanding of the structure of a protein can therefore lead us to a much improved picture of its molecular function. This realisation has been a prime motivation of recent Structural Genomics projects, involving large-scale experimental determination of protein structures, often those of proteins about which little is known of function. These initiatives have, in turn, stimulated the massive development of novel methods for prediction of protein function from structure. Since model structures may also take advantage of new function prediction algorithms, the first part of the book deals with the various ways in which protein structures may be predicted or inferred, including specific treatment of membrane and intrinsically disordered proteins. A detailed consideration of current structure-based function prediction methodologies forms the second part of this book, which concludes with two chapters, focusing specifically on case studies, designed to illustrate the real-world application of these methods. With bang up-to-date texts from world experts, and abundant links to publicly available resources, this book will be invaluable to anyone who studies proteins and the endlessly fascinating relationship between their structure and function. |
| structural elements of a business include: Ciottone's Disaster Medicine Gregory R. Ciottone, Paul D Biddinger, Robert G. Darling, Saleh Fares, Mark E Keim, Michael S Molloy, Selim Suner, 2015-11-05 The most comprehensive resource of its kind, Ciottone's Disaster Medicine, 2nd Edition, thoroughly covers isolated domestic events as well as global disasters and humanitarian crises. Dr. Gregory Ciottone and more than 200 worldwide authorities share their knowledge and expertise on the preparation, assessment, and management of both natural and man-made disasters, including terrorist attacks and the threat of biological warfare. Part 1 offers an A-to-Z resource for every aspect of disaster medicine and management, while Part 2 features an exhaustive compilation of every conceivable disaster event, organized to facilitate quick reference in a real-time setting. Quickly grasp key concepts, including identification of risks, organizational preparedness, equipment planning, disaster education and training, and more advanced concepts such as disaster risk reduction, tactical EMS, hazard vulnerability analysis, impact of disaster on children, and more. Understand the chemical and biologic weapons known to exist today, as well as how to best manage possible future events and scenarios for which there is no precedent. Be prepared for man-made disasters with new sections that include Topics Unique to Terrorist Events and High-Threat Disaster Response and Operational Medicine (covering tactical and military medicine). Get a concise overview of lessons learned by the responders to recent disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Sandy, the 2014 Ebola outbreak, and active shooter events like Sandy Hook, CT and Aurora, CO. Learn about the latest technologies such as the use of social media in disaster response and mobile disaster applications. Ensure that everyone on your team is up-to-date with timely topics, thanks to new chapters on disaster nursing, crisis leadership, medical simulation in disaster preparedness, disaster and climate change, and the role of non-governmental agencies (NGOs) in disaster response - a critical topic for those responding to humanitarian needs overseas. Expert Consult eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices. |
| structural elements of a business include: Mechanics of Composite Structural Elements Holm Altenbach, Johannes W. Altenbach, Wolfgang Kissing, 2013-11-11 Laminate and sandwich structures are typical lightweight elements with rapidly ex panding application in various industrial fields. In the past, these structures were used primarily in aircraft and aerospace industries. Now, they have also found ap plication in civil and mechanical engineering, in the automotive industry, in ship building, the sport goods industries, etc. The advantages that these materials have over traditional materials like metals and their alloys are the relatively high specific strength properties (the ratio strength to density, etc). In addition, the laminate and sandwich structures provide good vibration and noise protection, thermal insulation, etc. There are also disadvantages - for example, composite laminates are brittle, and thejoining of such elements is not as easy as with classical materials. The recycling of these materials is also problematic, and a viable solution is yet to be developed. Since the application of laminates and sandwiches has been used mostly in new technologies, governmental and independent research organizations, as well as big companies, have spent a lot of money for research. This includes the development of new materials by material scientists, new design concepts by mechanical and civil engineers as well as new testing procedures and standards. The growing de mands of the industry for specially educated research and practicing engineers and material scientists have resulted in changes in curricula of the diploma and master courses. More and more universities have included special courses on laminates and sandwiches, and training programs have been arranged for postgraduate studies. |
| structural elements of a business include: Information Modelling and Knowledge Bases XXI T. Welzer Druzovec, H. Jaakkola, Yasushi Kiyoki, Takehiro Tokuda, Naofumi Yoshida, 2010 Information modelling and knowledge bases have become crucially important subjects in the last few decades. They continue to be increasingly relevant, not only in academic communities, but in every area of commerce and society where information technology |
| structural elements of a business include: Seismic Design Methodologies for the Next Generation of Codes P. Fajfar, 2019-09-10 These proceedings, arising from an international workshop, present research results and ideas on issues of importance to seismic risk reduction and the development of future seismic codes. |
| structural elements of a business include: Understanding the CDM Regulations Owen V Griffiths, 2013-11-19 Understanding the CDM Regulations provides the construction professional with practical guidelines for the implementation of the Construction (Design and Management Regulations) 1994, with reference to the April 2007 changes to the regulations. These regulations have imposed significant duties upon construction clients, designers and contractors. This book introduces a coordinated framework for the management of health and safety during construction projects large and small. |
| structural elements of a business include: Simulation-based Lean Six-Sigma and Design for Six-Sigma Basem El-Haik, Raid Al-Aomar, 2006-10-27 This is the first book to completely cover the whole body of knowledge of Six Sigma and Design for Six Sigma with Simulation Methods as outlined by the American Society for Quality. Both simulation and contemporary Six Sigma methods are explained in detail with practical examples that help understanding of the key features of the design methods. The systems approach to designing products and services as well as problem solving is integrated into the methods discussed. |
| structural elements of a business include: Management , 1983 |
| structural elements of a business include: Microsociological Perspectives for Environmental Sociology Bradley H. Brewster, Antony J. Puddephatt, 2016-11-10 Environmental sociology tends to be dominated by macrosociological theories, to the point that microsociological perspectives have been neglected and ignored. This collection of original work is the first book dedicated to demonstrating the utility of microsociological perspectives for investigating environmental issues. From symbolic interactionism to actor–network theory, from dramaturgy to conversation analysis, from practice theory to animism, a variety of microsociological perspectives are not only drawn upon but creatively applied and developed, making this collection not only a contribution to environmental sociology, but to microsociological theory as well. The authors address such topics as the treatment of waste, human–animal relations, science and industry partnerships, environmental social movements, identities, and lifestyles, eco-tourism, the framing of land, water, and natural resources, and even human conceptions of outer space. Bringing together diverse scholars, perspectives, and topics, Microsociological Perspectives for Environmental Sociology opens the field up to new approaches and initiates much needed dialogue between environmental sociologists and microsociologists. It will appeal not only to sociologists, but to environmental scholars across the social sciences interested in enriching their theoretical repertoire in studying the social aspects of the environment. |
| structural elements of a business include: Injection Technologies for the Repair of Damaged Concrete Structures V.V. Panasyuk, V.I. Marukha, V.P. Sylovanyuk, 2013-12-19 This book analyzes the most important achievements in science and engineering practice concerning operational factors that cause damage to concrete and reinforced concrete structures. It includes methods for assessing their strength and service life, especially those that are based on modern concepts of the fracture mechanics of materials. It also includes basic approaches to the prediction of the remaining service life for long-term operational structures. Much attention is paid to injection technologies for restoring the serviceability of damaged concrete and reinforced concrete structures. In particular, technologies for remedying holes, cracks, corrosion damages etc. The books contains sample cases in which the above technologies have been used to restore structural integrity and extend the reliable service life of concrete and reinforced concrete constructions, especially NPPs, underground railways, bridges, seaports and historical relics. |
| structural elements of a business include: Tall Building Design Bungale S. Taranath, 2016-10-04 Addresses the Question Frequently Proposed to the Designer by Architects: Can We Do This? Offering guidance on how to use code-based procedures while at the same time providing an understanding of why provisions are necessary, Tall Building Design: Steel, Concrete, and Composite Systems methodically explores the structural behavior of steel, concrete, and composite members and systems. This text establishes the notion that design is a creative process, and not just an execution of framing proposals. It cultivates imaginative approaches by presenting examples specifically related to essential building codes and standards. Tying together precision and accuracy—it also bridges the gap between two design approaches—one based on initiative skill and the other based on computer skill. The book explains loads and load combinations typically used in building design, explores methods for determining design wind loads using the provisions of ASCE 7-10, and examines wind tunnel procedures. It defines conceptual seismic design, as the avoidance or minimization of problems created by the effects of seismic excitation. It introduces the concept of performance-based design (PBD). It also addresses serviceability considerations, prediction of tall building motions, damping devices, seismic isolation, blast-resistant design, and progressive collapse. The final chapters explain gravity and lateral systems for steel, concrete, and composite buildings. The Book Also Considers: Preliminary analysis and design techniques The structural rehabilitation of seismically vulnerable steel and concrete buildings Design differences between code-sponsored approaches The concept of ductility trade-off for strength Tall Building Design: Steel, Concrete, and Composite Systems is a structural design guide and reference for practicing engineers and educators, as well as recent graduates entering the structural engineering profession. This text examines all major concrete, steel, and composite building systems, and uses the most up-to-date building codes. |
| structural elements of a business include: Glass Structures Jan Wurm, 2007 Flat glass opens up more possibilities for the planner than virtually any other material. Because of the technological complexity of using it, however, no specific structural forms have been developed for glass supporting frameworks as they have been for wood, concrete, and steel. This book is thus the first to present a coherent guide to the planning and design of glass supporting frameworks. The focus is on the pressure-resistant, flat supporting element as a basic building block for broad supporting structures. The spatial and constructive forms of multifunctional, self-supporting glass envelopes are vividly illustrated and systematically explained. The constructions presented exhibit new aesthetic qualities, based not on the dictum of dematerialization but on the poetry of gleaming and transparent planes. They ring in a new chapter in the history of glass architecture. |
| structural elements of a business include: Concrete Structure Management - Guide to Ownership and Good Practice fib Fédération internationale du béton, 2008-01-01 Construction projects are undertaken to meet a variety of business, service and aspirational objectives and needs. The success of a building or an element of infrastructure depends on how well it meets the owner's needs and interests or those of the users. Recent changes in owner attitudes to construction are reflected in an increasing interest in through-life costs, i.e. not only the capital costs of construction but also the operational costs associated with a structure's functional performance for a defined life span. The owner can greatly improve the likelihood of achieving the value they seek from the facility by being intimately and effectively involved in the definition of performance requirements at the start of the construction procurement process. The objective of fib Bulletin 44 is to provide guidance to owners of concrete structures on: the management of their concrete structures (buildings and infrastructure) as part of their business goals or the service objectives of their organization; best practice in the management of concrete structures; their responsibilities with respect to the management of their concrete structures; the wider context and issues of service life design; information and direction needed by the supporting professional team of architects, engineers, specifiers, contractors and others. This Guide also provides background information on topics such as deterioration processes and technical procedures used for the management of concrete structures, including reference to international standards for the protection and repair of concrete structures. These activities are illustrated by application examples/case histories and by a section addressing frequently asked questions. A brief review is made of some potential future developments. |
