PSC495
all weeks discussions and assignments entire course
PSC495 all weeks discussions and assignments entire courseTopic 1 DQ1
Describe the problem you are focusing on for your action research project. Discuss your motivation for addressing this problem in terms of why it is significant to the organization and how achieving the proposed change would produce positive results for the business, its employees, and customers.
Topic 1 DQ2
Share the problem you will focus on for your action research project. Identify two or three ethical issues that could be connected to resolving the problem and explain how you would address each issue as your work to solve it. When replying to peers, identify additional ethical issues and provide new suggestions and resources that could be used to address the identified ethical issues associated with the problem.
Topic 2 DQ1
Discuss the value and use of quantitative and qualitative research and data in business. Articulate the difference between the two types of research and provide specific examples of when each would be valuable in addressing problems within a business setting
Topic 2 DQ 2
Create a table that summarizes the research you conducted in order to complete the Topic 2 assignment. In the table, briefly describe each type of research completed and indicate whether it was qualitative or quantitative research. In your post, discuss specific challenges you encountered in conducting your research. When posting to peers, provide suggestions for addressing the challenges they describe, including relevant links to useful resources or articles.
Topic 3 DQ 1
Discuss the pros and cons of completing a stakeholder analysis. In your discussion, explain why stakeholder analysis is an important step in the action research process and what could happen if this step is eliminated or completed insufficiently.
Topic 3 DQ 2
Based upon your stakeholder analysis, identify what you think will be the greatest potential roadblock you will encounter from stakeholders? Summarize the issue and discuss ideas you have for addressing it in a proactive manner. In your posts to peers, provide additional ideas about addressing stakeholder roadblocks, including personal experience and links to relevant resources.
Topic 4 DQ1
Discuss the use of the problem solutions matrix in helping you select the solution you believe will best address the organizational problem you have identified. Did you select the solution based primarily upon the solutions score, or did other factors influence which solution was selected? Explain all factors considered in your selection and the role that your research and stakeholder analysis played in the problem solution selection.
Topic 4 DQ2
On the “Problem Solutions Matrix,” the category “Customer Importance” received twice the weight of all other categories. Using what you learned from the Topic Materials, discuss the relative importance of this criterion. For the problem you are addressing, do you think this weighting was appropriate? Are there additional criteria that should have had greater weight? Would you have added other criteria specific to your problem? If so, what are they and why are they important in selecting a potential solution?
Topic 5 DQ1
Ensuring that data is summarized in a way that is useful to readers is an important part of effectively communicating your research findings. In the Main Forum, post the graphs and charts you created in the Topic 2 assignment so your peers can provide you with feedback about the clarity of the content being conveyed. In posts to two of your peers, provide specific feedback about how the research findings are visually presented. Refer back to the Chapter 10 textbook content to provide specific feedback and suggestions for improving the visual data representations.
Topic 5 DQ2
In the Main Forum, post a rough draft of the “Implementation Methods” section of the business proposal. In posts to two of your peers, provide feedback about the strategies that were outlined to implement the problem solution. Anticipate specific questions various stakeholders might have about the implementation of the solution and provide your peers with suggestions for addressing these questions and concerns in writing in the “Implementation Methods” section of the business proposal.
Topic 6 DQ 1
Using what you have learned in the Topic Materials, discuss what you believe to be the most important aspect of change management as it relates to the implementation of your problem solution. Provide specific examples to justify your opinion and illustrate your ideas.
Topic 6 DQ2
Why is it important to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions using both qualitative and quantitative data? Justify your opinion with specific reasons and examples.
Topic 7 DQ1
In the textbook reading, you learn about the importance of audience analysis when making a presentation. Think about the presentation you have created will for the topic assignment. For your initial topic assignment, you designed a presentation focused to convincing key stakeholders to sponsor and support your idea so it can be implemented within your organization. Discuss how the pitch will need to be modified for other audiences once you have gained support from stakeholder sponsors. In what ways will your change the presentation when giving it to those who will be directly affected by the changes you are proposing? How will the way you approach the audience change? Provide specific examples to illustrate your ideas.
Topic 7 DQ2
In the Main Forum, post a link to the YouTube video recording of your Problem Solution Presentation. Provide at least two of your peers with feedback about how effectively they were able to present the problem, proposed solution, and plan for implementing the solution. Discuss your peers’ success is utilizing research and presentation skills to clearly articulate the information to these key stakeholders while also identifying their specific call to action.
Topic 8 DQ1
The Topic Material “How to Get Your Idea Approved” suggests five key techniques for successfully pitching your idea to key stakeholders, including forming alliances, preparation, positioning your message for the audience, keeping information simple, and answering questions with confidence. Which of these five techniques will be most difficult for you as you work toward problem solution implementation within your organization? Discuss why a particular technique may be difficult, and provide your peers with specific ideas for overcoming obstacles to solution approval and implementation.
Topic 8 DQ2
Based upon your experience with completing the action research project, what suggestions would you give to others about implementing an action research process in order to address an organizational problem? Provide specific suggestions along with links to relevant resources.
PSC 495 Week 2 Assignment Internal and External Research
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct internal and external research to determine previously attempted solutions and potential solutions that could be implemented to solve identified problem.
For this assignment, you will need to create an Excel spreadsheet that summarizes the data collection you have completed. The spreadsheet should indicate the date on which particular data were collected, the source of the data collected, the type of data (qualitative or quantitative), and a one or two sentence summary of the data findings. Name the Excel spreadsheet as follows: lastname.firstname.datacollection.xlsx
Please note that as part of the research process, taking the initiative to speak with management and then requesting and reviewing business metrics and operations reports will allow you to find the data you need for the project while also showing your employer that you can be proactive and use critical thinking to solve problems within the organization.
Part 1:
The first step in data collection is to conduct research. You are looking for specific, measurable data (statistics and numbers) related how the problem is affecting the organization. This information should be recorded in the form of a chart or graph that presents the data so key decision makers can see the “cost” of failing to address the problem. Use the Topic Materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts that can be used to illustrate your findings.
Part 2:
Next, conduct additional research to learn what has already been done to address this problem within the organization. Ask questions and interview individuals who assisted with the implementation of previous solutions used to address the problem. Prior to meeting with individuals, develop a list of questions about previous solutions. Consider factors such as customer importance, efficiency, quality, employee satisfaction, and cost effectiveness. You will want to make sure you ask questions that allow you to gather measurable data and include information about how successful previous solution options were in addressing each of the problems. When you have completed your research, the findings should be summarized using at least one chart or graph that represents the data you have collected. Use the Topic Materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts that can be used to illustrate your findings.
Part 3:
The last step in determining potential solutions is to conduct external research. Using Internet and industry resources, research ways that other companies have addressed this issue or one very similar to it. Look for specific information related to the customer response, efficiency, quality, employee satisfaction, and cost effectiveness of solutions others have implemented. Find at least five potential solutions you can consider for solving the problem you have identified. Your goal in conducting this research is to find practical examples and measurable data related to how other companies and related industries have resolved the same problem or one very similar to it. When you have completed your research, the findings should be summarized using at least one chart or graph that represents the data you have collected. Use the Topic Materials for assistance with creating Excel graphs and charts that can be used to illustrate your findings.
The data collection Excel spreadsheet and the three data summary charts/graphs you have created from the research you have conducted should be submitted to your instructor.
The three charts/graphs you create will be used again in your Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7 and the Final Business Proposal you will submit in Topic 8.
General Requirements:
APA format is required for essays only. Solid academic writing is always expected. For all assignment delivery options, documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
PSC 495 Stakeholder Analysis Summary
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to identify key stakeholders within your organization who are affected by, have influence over, or have an interest in solving the problem you are attempting to address with your action research project.
Stakeholder analysis requires you to examine a number of variables in relation to each individual or group you have identified. Use the “Stakeholder Analysis” spreadsheet to record the results of the stakeholder analysis.
In the analysis, list titles and groups of stakeholders. Do not list names of specific individuals. It is important to note the role each stakeholder has in the problem and solving it. Determine whether or not the individual or group has a negative, indifferent, positive, or very positive predisposition about the problem.
Within the “Stakeholder Analysis” spreadsheet is a tab labeled “Current-State Matrix.” Study the terminology related to influence and support and think about how each block describes the feelings a stakeholder may have about the problem and proposed solution. For example, there may be a group or individual that has a high degree of support in regard to solving the problem. If you know that person or group also has a high level of influence in how the problem is solved, it is important to think about how you will approach this person or group in terms of seeking information and presenting potential solutions. Taking time to rank the level of influence and support for each stakeholder is critical as you proceed because it may have a large role in determining whether or not specific problem solutions can be and are implemented.
Take the time necessary to conduct research that will help you determine possible stakeholder reactions and issues related to potential solutions. Think about the motivation, drivers, and expectations of exchange for each stakeholder, the problem, and the proposed solutions. Finally, consider the role of the stakeholder, including when the stakeholder needs to be involved in the change effort, any stakeholder management activities, and stakeholder deliverables and timelines. If a stakeholder will ultimately end up having a designated role in implementing the solution, the ability to articulate the role, scope, and timeframe will be of utmost importance.
Complete the “Stakeholder Analysis” spreadsheet and submit it to your instructor along with a 500-word summary of your findings. In the summary, discuss the following.
Summarize stakeholder attitudes about the identified problem and support your summary with specific data from your collection tool.
Summarize stakeholder attitudes or experiences related to previously implemented problem solutions and support your summary with specific data from your collection tool.
Summarize stakeholder ideas for potential solutions and support your summary with specific data from your collection tool.
Who are the stakeholders you will seek to act as sponsors to support you in the implementation of a problem solution? Provide specific reasons why these stakeholders are key to implementing a solution.
Who are the stakeholders that will likely be directly affected by solving the problem? Provide specific ways these stakeholders could be directly affected by solving the problem.
Who are the stakeholders who could pose potential roadblocks to solving the problem? Provide specific reasons why these stakeholders could pose potential roadblocks and what those roadblocks could be.
This summary will be used as part of the Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7 and the Final Business Proposal you submit in Topic 8.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
PSC 495 Problem Solutions Matrix
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to review the root causes of the problem and all of the previously tried and new solutions you researched to address the problem. From that information, potential solutions should be ranked based upon how well they meet the needs of the business and address the identified problem. Once this process is completed, the best solution for solving the problem within your organization can be selected.
Complete the “Problem Solutions Matrix” spreadsheet using data and information you collected through research and completion of the Stakeholder Analysis in Topics 2 and 3. Select the top three solutions for addressing the problem within your organization. Be sure to consider the “Solutions Score” column number when selecting the top three solutions. Additionally, you must also consider the timeline for implementation, costs and benefits to key stakeholders and the greater good, potential roadblocks to implementation, and how you will measure and validate whether or not a solution is successful in addressing the problem. All of this must be considered prior to selecting your final solution.
This summary will be used as part of the Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7 and the Final Business Proposal you submit in Topic 8.
Complete the “Problem Solutions Matrix” spreadsheet according to the directions and submit it to your instructor.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected
PSC 495 Managing Organization Change
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to clearly articulate the specific strategies and methods that will be utilized to manage the organizational changes associated with implementing the problem solution you have selected.
Write 250-500 words that explain how you will address the following organizational issues prior to implementing the problem solution you have selected.
Creating employee buy-in (What’s in it for me?) to address the problem using your solution.
Resources (systems, technology, training, etc.) needed to implement the solution.
Methods for addressing employee resistance to change.
This summary will be used as part of the Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7 and the Final Business Proposal you submit in Topic 8.
APA format is required for essays only. Solid academic writing is always expected. For all assignment delivery options, documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
PSC 495 Internal Business Proposal
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to draft an internal business proposal presentation to share with organization personnel you would like to have sponsor or support you in the implementation of the problem solution you have suggested. You will do this by creating a PowerPoint presentation and filming yourself giving the presentation. You will post the filmed presentation to the YouTube website and provide the link to it the Main Forum so you can receive feedback about your presentation from your peers and instructor.
Review the stakeholder analysis you completed in Topic 3 to determine the key stakeholders that will make up the audience for this presentation. Focus on identifying decision makers that will have the power and resources to approve the implementation of the solution. These are typically your supervisors and key organization personnel.
Construct a 5-10 slide PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following. Include speaker notes for each slide.
Problem and related research
Proposed solution and related research
Details for implementing the solution
Details for evaluating the effectiveness of the solution
As part of the presentation, you must include slides that provide text along with visual representations of the data you have collected. The visuals should include the three graphs or charts that you created from the data collected in your research during Topic 2.
Once the presentation is complete, you will film yourself pitching the idea to the stakeholder audience. It is important that you dress for success and practice your presentation prior to filming it. Assume you will be talking to organization leadership not as a student, but as a change maker within the organization. In the presentation, your job is to use the PowerPoint as a tool and visual reference while you present the problem, your proposed solution, and your plan for implementing the solution. The key to success is utilizing your research and presentation skills to clearly articulate the information to these key stakeholders while also identifying their specific call to action.
After you have practiced your presentation, record it, and post it to the YouTube website. You will post a link to the video in the Main Forum to receive feedback from your peers. You will submit the completed PowerPoint presentation and YouTube video link to your instructor for review and feedback.
Refer to the resource “Creating Effective PowerPoint Presentations,” located in the Student Success Center, for additional guidance on completing this assignment in the appropriate style.
APA format is required for essays only. Solid academic writing is always expected. For all assignment delivery options, documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
PSC 495 Business Proposal Project Summary
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to begin drafting an internal business proposal that outlines how you will implement the solution to the problem you have identified in your organization.
There are several parts to this assignment, and each part has been explained and briefly outlined in the “Business Proposal Project Summary” document in the Course Materials. That document should be used as a guide to assist you with constructing key elements of the proposal. Word count guidelines are provided for each section of the business proposal. For this assignment, you will complete the Purpose Statement, Problem Statement, Data and Research Findings, Proposed Solution, Stakeholder Analysis and Benefits, and Implementation Methods sections of the Business Proposal. Much of this content has been generated in the Topic 1-4 assignments, as noted below.
Purpose Statement (100-250 words) provides clear statement of why the business proposal is being made.
Problem Statement (revised as needed from Topic 1 assignment feedback) including specific data (statistics and numbers) related to how the problem impacts the business. This part of the proposal should include the graph/chart/data you collected in Part 1 of the Topic 2 assignment.
Data and Research Findings (250-500 words) should include a summary of what you learned from conducting research related to what has already been done to address the organizational problem. This part of the proposal should include the graph/chart/data you collected in Part 2 of the Topic 2 assignment.
Proposed Solution (250-500 words) should include a summary of the top three problem solutions you considered to address the problem. In addition to including the graph/chart/data you collected in Part 3 of the Topic 2 assignment, this section should provide a succinct discussion of the pros and cons of implementing each of the top three solutions being considered to address the problem.
Stakeholder Analysis and Benefits (500 words, revised as needed from Topic 3 assignment feedback)
Implementation Methods (250-500 words) summarize specific strategies that will used to implement the problem solution including time and costs associated with implementation.
It is important to include specific data throughout the business proposal. Include statistics that support the problem statement; can be used to establish and track goals; relate to specifics of implementation, timing, and cost; and illustrate stakeholder benefits. Keep in mind that the proposal is an internal document that will be read by stakeholders within the organization where the problem exists. Focus on this audience as you write. Within the Word document, include subsection titles to organize content according to the categories listed above to provide easy reference points for the reader.
APA format is required for essays only. Solid academic writing is always expected. For all assignment delivery options, documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Please refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
PSC 495 Business Problem and Proposed Solution
Details:
The purpose of this assignment is to explain how you will evaluate and measure the success of the problem solution you intend to implement in the organization.
Write 250 words that explain how you will measure whether or not the solution is successful in addressing the problem and meeting the needs of the business, employees, and customers. Success can be measured using both qualitative and quantitative methods.
This summary will be used as part of the Business Proposal Presentation in Topic 7 and the Final Business Proposal you submit in Topic 8.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin.
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