Writing Position paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Writing Position paper - Assignment Example Technically, Puget Sound is the area of water east of Admiralty Inlet where the ocean comes along the Pacific Coast providing ports for ocean transportation in cities such as Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia, Washington (http://www.gonorthwest.com/washington/puget/Puget_Sound.htm). However, Puget Sound also refers to the inland port cities and towns. The Puget Sound inland area has one of the worst traffic congestion problems in the nation. In fact, drivers in this area are in the top third in terms of time lost due to waiting in traffic. This is not a list a region wants to top. Adding to the challenge is the fact that the Puget Sound area has had a large increase in population and the highest unemployment rate the area has seen in years. This means that traffic occurs at all hours, not just the traditional rush hours as one would expect (Cole, 2000). If the government officials of Puget Sound would allow the development of toll roads in the area, this would greatly reduce the amount of traffic congestion in the area. The Puget Sound’s current transportation network of roads and highways was built in the 1960’s. The population of the area is now 60% higher than it was when the roads were built. There has been little change over the years to keep up with the demand of more drivers on the road (Washington Policy Center, 2011). This is obviously the major reason that traffic gridlock is such an issue. Too many people, not enough room on the roads and not enough roads to drive on pretty much sums of the problem of the traffic in Puget Sound. Aware that the level of traffic congestion in the Puget Sound area is a real problem, the Puget Sound Regional Council, took on the project of developing a transportation plan to analyze how best to address the traffic issues. The issues that the planners faced are funding, how best to expand the current

Environmental Scan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Environmental Scan - Essay Example Identification and Analyzing of External Environment Factors The most important external environmental factor of a non-profit organization can be identified through analyzing the issues directly related to the organizations’ operational efficiency in the particular industry. The first important factor affecting TDL Ventures is that of the financial issues. It is important to analyze whether the funds generated for accomplishing the organization’s goals are adequate or not. The essential task related to this factor is to satisfy the founder providing the money for the purpose. For mitigating the risk associated with this factor, TDL Ventures has overviewed and assessed costs associated with activities related towards delivery of services to the clients. On assessment of these issues, TDL Ventures can be stated to be in a position to carry the costs of its service within the non-profit social service industry in the US. The second most important external factor for TDL Ve ntures is the notion of both governmental and non-governmental organizations towards these social service organizations. It is, in fact, true that government and non government organizations confer a caustic overview towards these non profit organizations. This factor was a challenge for TDL Ventures during the time of its incorporation. However, pertaining to the level of importance of this specific social service to the people, the organization found adequate founders for its operations and is gradually leading to its success path (Handy & Ranade, 2000). The third most important external factor is related to the social issues governing the operation of a non profit organization. Traditionalistic cultures of the society are an influencing factor for successful operation of TDL Ventures (Twombly, 2011). Traditions prevailing within the society (either positive or negative) were required to be analyzed for effective identification of those factors. It was observed from identification process of the traditionalism that a certain portion of the society was supportive towards its existence while on the other hand, certain other portion was in an ambiguous position towards its existence. For copping up with this situation, TDL Ventures utilized several initiatives related to welfare reforms of the society and in the due course of time the society accepted its existence. At the same time, it was also required for TDL Ventures to make an assessment of cost-benefit position with regard to the societal factors. The societal cost incurred for bringing the organization into existence was to be compared with the societal benefits to be acquired from its operations. It was found from the comparison that social benefits in the form of providing a healthy lifestyle to the blind people in the society was much more than that of the costs initially encountered for the foundation of TDL Ventures (Business Studies Online, 2002). Identification and Analyzing of TDL Venture’ s Internal Strengths and Weaknesses TDL Ventures holds a strong workforce which is determined towards the achievement of its goals, both short-term as well as long-term. TDL Ventures similar to any other non profit organizations enjoys benefits from its external environmental issues as well, apart from its internal strengths. However, it is also true that it is