Establishing a connection with business values and strategy is a key step in understanding the project selection criteria. Discuss what information is needed to understand key value and/or strategy points associated with project proposals. How do you decide what constitutes a good project and what criteria should be used to make the final decision?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Connection Between Business Values, Strategy, and Project Selection Criteria
Understanding the connection between business values, strategy, and project selection criteria is crucial for making informed decisions about project proposals. To establish this connection, certain information is needed to grasp key value and strategy points associated with project proposals. Additionally, determining what constitutes a good project and the criteria for making the final decision requires careful consideration. Let’s explore these aspects in more detail.
Understanding Business Values and Strategy
Mission and Vision: To understand the business values and strategy, it is essential to comprehend the organization’s mission and vision. These statements outline the purpose, goals, and aspirations of the company, providing a framework for evaluating project proposals.
Strategic Objectives: Identifying the strategic objectives of the organization is critical. This includes understanding the long-term goals of the company and how each project aligns with those objectives. Projects that contribute to strategic goals are more likely to be considered valuable.
Stakeholder Analysis: Analyzing key stakeholders helps identify their interests, needs, and expectations. This understanding allows project managers to align project proposals with stakeholder priorities, ensuring that project outcomes align with business values.
Market Analysis: Assessing market trends, competition, and customer demands provides insights into potential opportunities or threats. Project proposals that address market gaps or capitalize on emerging trends are likely to generate value for the organization.
Evaluating Project Proposals
Strategic Alignment: A good project is one that aligns with the organization’s strategic objectives and contributes to its long-term success. The project should address a specific business need or opportunity identified through careful analysis.
Feasibility: Projects must be evaluated for their technical feasibility, financial viability, and operational practicality. It is important to assess whether the necessary resources, expertise, and budget are available to execute the project successfully.
ROI and Value Creation: Assessing the potential return on investment (ROI) and value creation is crucial. Projects should have a clear business case, demonstrating how they will generate value, such as increased revenue, cost savings, improved efficiency, or enhanced customer satisfaction.
Risk Assessment: Analyzing potential risks associated with the project is essential. This includes assessing both internal and external risks that could impact the project’s success. Projects with manageable risks and mitigation strategies in place are generally more favorable.
Resource Allocation: Consideration should be given to resource availability and allocation. Projects that have access to the necessary resources, including skilled personnel, technology, and equipment, are more likely to succeed.
Timeframe: Evaluating the project’s timeframe is essential for determining its feasibility within the desired timeline. Projects that can be completed within a reasonable timeframe without compromising quality or objectives are generally preferred.
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conducting a cost-benefit analysis helps in evaluating the financial implications of the project. This analysis compares the costs associated with implementing and maintaining the project against the expected benefits and returns.
Stakeholder Buy-In: Considering stakeholder support and involvement is important. Projects that have stakeholder buy-in are more likely to receive necessary resources, cooperation, and support throughout their lifecycle.
Making the Final Decision
To make the final decision regarding project selection, a combination of qualitative and quantitative factors should be considered. This includes weighing the strategic alignment, feasibility, ROI, risk assessment, resource availability, timeframe, cost-benefit analysis, and stakeholder buy-in. Each criterion should be evaluated based on its importance to the organization’s overall business values and strategy.
It is also essential to involve key decision-makers and stakeholders in the decision-making process to gain diverse perspectives and ensure alignment with organizational goals. A decision matrix or scoring system can be utilized to objectively evaluate each criterion and assign weights based on their relative importance.
Ultimately, a good project is one that aligns with the organization’s values and strategy, demonstrates feasibility and value creation potential, minimizes risks, utilizes available resources efficiently, and garners stakeholder support. By considering these factors and criteria during the project selection process, organizations can make informed decisions that contribute to their long-term success.
