Introduction
The conflict between proprietary software and open source has been raging for a long time. All sides of the tale investigate and evaluate a variety of topics and concerns. Open-source software is less secure than proprietary software is a misconception that stems from a variety of prejudices. However, a commercial permit does not guarantee security (Melwani, 2019, pg. 1). In contrast to proprietary software, open-source software discloses possible flaws. Anyone may access the code because it is open source. People frequently complain that seeing the code allows malicious hackers to snoop at it and exploit weaknesses. Therefore, open-source software’s advantages and disadvantages influence the project manager’s decision to improve technological devices.
Advantages of open source and disadvantages of proprietary software
Open-source software follows four main principles: it can be used for any reason, anybody has free entry to the source code and can edit it, the original manuscript can be redistributed, and changed copies can be redistributed. Although not every free software is open-source, it belongs to the freeware category. The benefits of open-source software include the fact that it is free to experiment, use, alter, and redistribute. It provides an accessible discussion board for support. It possesses a standard protocol that promotes openness (Melwani, 2019, pg. 1). Disadvantages include a lack of a competitive edge, community support that is not appropriate for business settings, and a high level of technicality owing to developer-focused development. As a result, numerous adaptations are required to fulfill unique use cases.
Disadvantages of open source and advantages of proprietary software
Legal safeguards limit the usage, distribution, and alteration of proprietary software. The fact that end users cannot obtain the source code that retains the owner’s intellectual property distinguishes proprietary software. The original firm manages all modifications, updates, and patches. Advantages include actual usability owing to a constrained feature set, high product reliability, specialist technical assistance, warranties, and limited responsibility protections for the customers (Melwani, 2019, pg. 1). Disadvantages include restricted versatility and extensibility and higher initial prices. Modifications may incur additional fees and dependency on the manufacturer to continue troubleshooting and developing the product. I prefer open-source software, in which one is free to use or alter the code as required because proprietary software imposes constraints.
Table 1. Summary of Results
Problem solving: Improving diabetes sensor
As a projector manager, I have to solve the problem of improving the diabetes sensor, which is part of my professional responsibilities. TRIZ also referred to as the theory of creative problem solving, is a strategy for encouraging creativity in project teams that have been stuck while trying to resolve a business situation. It is one of the methodologies where diabetic patients use a freestyle libre device even though it has several issues, the ease with which the device is knocked off, and the slight lag between the readings.
There are several TRIZ techniques for improving the diabetes sensor and detecting sugar levels. Exposure to constant blood glucose measures paired with information regarding food consumption and physical activity generates a unique data set about the patient’s daily patterns and reaction to food intake. The data collection can improve insulin administration and forecast glucose level changes (Roessner, 2019, pg. 1). Hospitals may more rapidly detect which patients will profit from a change in therapy, thereby averting catastrophic consequences of chronic illnesses by collecting big data. Precision medicine refers to the phenomena of tailor-made medical treatment, in which vast volumes of data are analyzed and mined for precise patterns, bringing patient personal information into sharp focus.
The FreeStyle Libre system is a classic illustration of how big data may improve diabetes care. It not only assists individuals in enhancing their glucose management and handling their condition effectively, but they also create a massive amount of information (Roessner, 2019, pg. 1). Aggregating, assessing, and interpreting such data can result in quality standards that can be condensed into practical adjustments to assist individuals in living their best lives.
The second stage is to employ Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), a new technology that checks glucose levels. It works by placing a tiny sensor with a needle on the patient’s skin and continually sampling the glucose level, storing it, and sending it to a mobile phone or insulin pump (Roessner, 2019, pg. 1). It provides the patient with a continuous glimpse of their glucose concentration. The advantages are numerous, including the ability to set alerts, change insulin pumps, gather an understanding of the pattern of the glucose concentration, eliminate many fingersticks, and have a much better-controlled glucose level.
The Coach can make tiny meaningful, individualized modifications to the patient’s lifestyle using the AGM device data to obtain blood sugar levels in the prescribed range. AGM systems from various manufacturers provide a variety of advantages. AGM systems can give real-time and adaptive glucose data and can be used by persons of all ages (Werhane, 2018, pg. 269). They are ideal for young children aged four and higher since they allow parents or physicians to monitor their blood glucose levels gently. It acts as a 24-hour lifeline, alerting patients when their blood sugar levels dip into a dangerous range. As a result, the user may change their diet, medicine, and exercise levels. Continuous glucose monitoring and big data analytics are cutting-edge technology for assessing glucose levels and managing diabetes. Each aims to make diabetes simpler to manage and maybe cure it one day.
Output from MS Project
Project management is the art of organizing, planning, coordinating, directing, and regulating resources using tables, graphs, and calculations. A project has a defined beginning and end point and is designed to achieve particular goals. Project crashing aims to shorten the project timetable and provide the product, services, or outcome earlier than intended. However, they require additional cost, usually 1.5 times more than intended. Activity evaluation and classification enable teams to find the most value for the least possible cost increment, shortening the project duration via crushing (Kumar & Hitesh, 2020, pg. 34). If even crashing cannot help in completing the project timely, fast-tracking may be applied, which means the simultaneous execution of all operations, despite it is a risky operation.
A network diagram depicts the project workflow, which enables one to see how a project should be executed. Critical activities are those which should be completed strictly on time: if they are overdue, the whole project is overdue as well. Figure 1 shows this workflow for the current project: for example, need planning is a starting point, which continues for 70 days in normal conditions or 56 days in crush conditions, as seen in Tables 2 and 3. Then, there are two workflows: work with equipment and with lab trainings, both of which converge on the last stage of system testing. Mentioned tables show the latest and earliest starts and finishes for each activity and the project duration in general.
Table 2. A normal project workflow: shows the latest starts and finishes of each activity, 217 days in total
Cost analysis is the calculation of how many pounds one should spend on each project stage, and cashflow diagrams are an excellent way to show it. Two cashflow diagrams, Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the cost of each project workflow and stage for normal and crush activities, respectively. Each diagram has a table that shows the precise cost of each activity, while numbers on diagrams show approximately the project phases; as the normal workflow is more extended, it has five steps, while crush workflow has four. As one can see, a crush project way costs 540,000 pounds, almost 1.5 times more expensive than a normal one, costing 400,000 pounds. Therefore, it is wise to use normal project workflow when possible.
Table 3. A crush project workflow: shows the earliest starts and finishes of each activity, 175 days in total
Ethical Awareness of the Engineer
The opinion of the engineering council determines the code of ethics for professionals in this sphere. Even though now I am only preparing to become a qualified engineer, I apply ethical thinking principles to my work at the university. I plan to contribute to the development of society as an ethical engineer after graduation, which is only possible with a high awareness of moral issues. For example, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) highly values engineers acting professionally and ethically. It states that engineers must adhere to the highest levels of integrity and integrity in all interactions. They must own their mistakes and not twist or modify the facts. Engineers must notify clients if they suspect a project may fail (Maslen, 2020, pg. 417). Project managers are evaluated based on how successfully they accomplish tasks within the time frame, budget, and scope.
However, when project choices are made by individuals evaluated on various factors, such as boosting sales or meeting a revenue target, these actions may contradict the superior judgment of a skilled project manager. Whether working alone or for a firm, an engineer must deal with ethical difficulties, most of which arise during the product’s conceptualizing, issues in the development and evaluation departments, or issues affecting production, sales, and operations. Moral concerns exist during monitoring and teamwork as well. An engineer’s ethical responsibilities and moral principles must be examined because an engineer’s judgments influence the goods and services.
Engineers must adhere to a set of values to avoid moral degradation. Honoring others, respecting other people’s rights, and honoring commitments are all examples of appropriate behavior. Morality demands that we respect others. It entails being fair and reasonable, satisfying obligations and rights, and without creating undue harm by deceit. Whenever a problem arises, it is necessary to have a few talents to solve it (Herkert et al., 2020, pg. 1). Engineers must deal with challenges with tolerance, and a few moral goals must be considered while coping with these issues.
An engineer must be able to detect moral dilemmas and concerns that arise in engineering. The study of the situation is required to discriminate and judge as per ethics or the norms to be followed. The argument must be evaluated and grasped to decide on a subject. Both sides of the debate must estimate all probability, and the substance of the dispute must be rational and moral. After going through all the ethical and sensible facts, consistent and complete viewpoints should be created based on a review of pertinent facts.
Conclusion
The moral and practical difficulties must be addressed independently. While on the job, the language used to describe one’s moral beliefs should be so exact that the phrase or words do not affect the original meaning. Despite having all of these moral aims, the ethical rationale for attaining moral behavior with commitment and responsibility is gained by a few abilities (Herkert et al., 2020, pg. 1). An engineer should have a few ethical reasoning abilities, such as the ability and desire to be ethically rational while dealing with problems. Justice can only be served if someone is willing to enhance one’s skills and respects all parties involved in the dispute.
List of References
Herkert, J., Borenstein, J., & Miller, K 2020 ‘The boeing 737 MAX: Lessons for engineering ethics’, Science and Engineering Ethics. Web.
Kumar, A & Hitesh, R 2020, ‘Fundamentals of Software Engineering, BPB Publications.
Maslen, S., Hayes, J., Wong, J., & Scott-Young, C 2020 ‘Witch hunts and scapegoats: an investigation into the impact of personal liability concerns on engineers’ reporting of risks,’ Environment Systems and Decisions, 40(3), 413–426. Web.
Melwani, U 2019 ‘Open-source vs Proprietary Software – Which One Is More Secure?’, Srijan. Web.
Roessner, K 2019 ‘Big Data Are Changing Diabetes Management in Big Ways’, Abbott. Web.
Werhane, P 2018 ‘The linguistic turn, social construction and the impartial spectator: Why do these ideas matter to managerial thinking?’, Philosophy of Management, 17(3), 265–278. Web.