Cost Analysis Report

Comparing JIT Solutions

Conducting a cost analysis is a useful way of representing the risks and benefits associated with purchasing a particular product or service. For example, if you want to purchase a gym membership, you might conduct a cost analysis of several gyms, what their memberships cost financially, and what you could expect to gain from each gym membership (e.g., opening hours, types of machines available, and distance from your home).

Using your needs analysis from Week One, and your survey results from Week Two, conduct a cost analysis for the technologies you identified as potential solutions. Your cost analysis can take the form of a spreadsheet or a chart, and should include the following:
• The name of each specific JIT technology solution
• URLs or locations where each solution might be purchased
• An estimated cost for each solution
• A description of the challenges associated with using each solution (e.g., extensive training)
• The benefits anticipated for each solution
• Any additional notes or comments on each solution (if applicable)
Note: Your final submission should be in document format.

Example Cost Analysis Chart
Item Mighty Gym Trim and Slim Fitness Jones Athletic Club
URL/Location www.mightygym.com www.trimandslim.com
40 Ash St.
San Diego, CA 92101 www.jonesathleticclub.com
21 Elm Rd.
La Jolla, CA 92122
Cost $40/month $32/month + $40 startup $20/month + $50 startup
*Requires at least 1 year contract
Challenges 20 miles from home Doesn’t offer as many group exercise classes Parking is difficult
Benefits Offers group exercise classes throughout the week Ends up being less expensive
Only five miles from home Has a lot exercise machines
Offers some group exercise classes, but not as many as Mighty Gym.
Additional Notes Gym looks clean and well maintained! This is the gym Karen goes to! This gym is mostly clean looking and has great locker rooms!

Wk 1 — Needs Analysis

Just-in-time imperative is a mode of training that provides just the required knowledge when it is needed by the employees. The knowledge is divided into modules that are personalized to form relevant courses and they are modified and reused for various training purposes (Weintraub & Martineau 2002). The modules are sorted to determine which ones are more relevant and which audience would benefit more from it. Experts are used in rendering the relevant information to the trainees through educational seminars and meetings and these sessions can even be recorded for future reference. This mode of training involves acquisition of quick knowledge and employees can even gain access to this knowledge while still working. It also addresses the objectives of various training objectives since it gives precise information that is relevant to the trainees.
In school, the principals are faced with many issues that need their attention. For instance, they need to determine the best teaching methods to use on the students, best management policies for the employees, disciplinary actions to take on various wrong doings among others. With this workload, it is almost impossible for the principal to be an expert on every issue concerning the school since it would take him years to study all these courses. However, he can gain quick knowledge on these areas without having to spend so many years of learning or even take a break from his job (Jones 2002).
This kind of problem could easily be solved by technologies supporting JIT such as portals that ensure efficiency in accessing information. Since just-in-time is all about modularization, the use of databases is a perfect solution to this kind of problems. It is therefore important for organizations to use computerized information systems instead of manual systems of keeping records in order to improve on efficiency. The use of internet and intranets could also come in handy in addressing this problem due to its richness in information.
Databases could assist the management of school affairs recording and organization of data for east retrieval. It is a computerized library where you can access any information in it by searching using keywords (Weintraub & Martineau 2002). This will help the principal access information on every department of the school easily without straining. Other people involved with the school like teachers, parents, workers, students could also gain easy access to the information. Portals could be helpful in a school environment since they improve on efficiency in data access. The school could develop portals such as student portals to help students access information about themselves without having to visit various offices for enquiries. The internet is always helpful since they contain diverse information on every field. Intranets contain information about the school and one could get all the information they need (Werth & Werth 2011).
In conclusion, the just-in-time training method is an efficient method of passing on knowledge to learners since it ensures only relevant information is passed on. It also saves on time spent on learning and the learners do not have to quit jobs to undergo training. Organizations are slowly embracing it since it proves to be very effective. It saves on costs since learners do not have to enroll in expensive programs, they can learn a lot when performing certain projects and this improves on quality. People with similar work, interests can create the knowledge they require, find the right channels to share it and apply it in their work. This promotes productivity of a business.
Week 2—My survey results :

The results reported in my survey analysis are based on the participation of my classmates and few co-workers. I find the results to be very compelling. This survey was done to gather information on others’ experiences with identifying JIT solutions.
My first question I asked what kinds of technologies were being used on a regular basis and to my expectations 100% stated that they use computers and cell phones. Only 75% uses laptops and 50% uses Tablets. I was shocked after viewing the last choice results, for only 25% stated that they use Ipads. I really expected that percentage to be higher than that. I feel that my JIT solution (the use of databases for accessing information) was accessible to all. When I asked about their specific learning method, most stated that they prefer online tutorials and knowledge base as their preferred training/learning method. What really surprised me was the fact that each participant stated they would devote anywhere from 30 minutes up to 3 or more hours of training/learning for this activity.
In closing, based on this survey analysis, I feel that the JIT solution using Microsoft Office Power-point’s appear to be more promising with my training. Power-points are easily to create, direct, straight to the point and learners tend to grasp ideas/information better and or quicker because of the colors, graphics and animations.