13 Jan G. Significant learning

Week 1 Learning Activity

Given today’s global and domestic business environment and economic conditions, what two organization development (OD) goals, objectives, or characteristics do you consider most important and worthwhile to understand? Why?

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Important OD Goals, Objectives or Characteristics

1. [goal, objective or characteristic]

Explanation of importance

2. [goal, objective or characteristic]

Explanation of importance

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 1 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 1 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

What’s your role in organization development? Would you make a effective OD practitioner? Why or why not? How might your work style, behavior preferences, skills, and abilities contribute as a manager/change agent or employee participating in organization development? (Another way to think about this question is would an OD practitioner find you an easy or difficult employee to work with in a changing organizational environment? Why or why not?) Last, in a few sentences, synthesize your key self-learning (i.e., take-away, ah-ha moment, self-enlightenment) from this exercise.

You may find useful supplemental resources by searching the web for .

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

My role as an effective OD practitioner

My work style vis-à-vis OD practitioner goals

Key Self-learning

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 1 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 2 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Bruce Tharp claims that “organizational culture is a slippery concept to concretely define (Tharp, n.d., p. 2).” Let’s characterize it instead. Culture can be viewed as content (e.g., values, norms, morals, customs, beliefs, language, knowledge, experience, ideas, patterns) and process (e.g., ways in which the content is passed along, learned, changes, and adapts). Organizational culture can be characterized by attributes reflecting its content and its processes. For example, UMUC’s mission states that students come first (content), offering open admissions and convenient online degree programs (process). Pick an organization with which you are familiar. Describe and explain two content attributes and two process attributes (total of four).

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Name of organization

Content attributes characterizing [name of organization]

Process attributes characterizing [name of organization]

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 2 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 2 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Discuss three factors related to change resistance and overcoming change resistance you have experienced in organizational work environments. What two take-aways did you gain from the readings this week that you could apply in the future to organizational change challenges? Explain.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Respons

Change resistance factors experienced in organizational work environments

1.

2.

3.

Take-aways

1.

2.

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 2 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 3 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Compare and contrast at least two organization development diagnostic models focusing on the name of the model, a brief description, key elements in its approach, and your opinion of the models’ strengths and weaknesses. What type of organization would benefit from each diagnostic model examined in Question 1? Why?

Use the following matrix and headings to organize and format your Response (use bullets as appropriate):

OD Diagnostic Models

Diagnostic Model

Brief Description

Key Aspects of Approach

Strengths

Weaknesses

Organizations benefiting from models

Organization 1

Organization 2

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 3 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 3 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Discuss your workplace experiences related to two of the three OD intervention strategies: structural, technological, and behavioral. Indicate that you understand the definition and meaning of the strategies in your explanation.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

OD intervention strategy 1

OD intervention strategy 2

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 3 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 4 Learning Activity

Learning Activity 1–Critical Thinking Activity

Organizational excellence during and following planned change depends in no small way on capable, committed leadership and followership. Critique OCC Dimensions 1-4. Identify at least two strengths and two weaknesses from the four Dimensions. You may identify your own critique criteria. To get you started consider the dimensions in terms of situational differences and challenges (e.g., noncrises vs crises situations, change due to mergers vs acquisitions and takeovers, alignment with organization mission and vision statements); applicability in global work environments (e.g., diverse work culture, virtual and team structures); and suitability for today’s complex business world (e.g., mindboggling connectivity, sophisticated technology, influence of social media and networking, importance of speed in decision making).

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

OCC Dimensions Critique

Strengths

1.

2.

Weaknesses

1.

2.

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 4 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 4 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Identify and discuss at least three take-aways (aka significant learnings) from the readings on empowerment, managing change and transition, and managing through change. How do these take-aways apply directly to your experience from dealing with organizational change (as a manager or employee), and your desire to increase your understanding and implementable resources in this area?

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Take-aways

1.

2.

3.

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 4 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 5 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Case Example:

Based on your impressive accomplishments on new initiatives, positive attitude, flexibility, problem solving strengths, and support of your organization’s rapid growth and nearly overnight success, your VP has selected you as an internal change consultant-in-training and member of the Transition Management Team (TMT). The timing is great since you are well into BMGT 465, and reasonably knowledgeable about OD intervention strategies, and have material at your finger tips on methods and tools designed to evaluate how well the interventions are working. To further help you prepare for your TMT role of internal consultant you will attend an OD practitioners conference where you will have one-on-one access to several OD evaluation experts. To optimize the expert coaching sessions you have decided to create two informed, penetrating, meaningful questions, annotated with additional details about your organization as you see fit to imagine and add, that will better educate you to evaluate the effectiveness of the change interventions to date.

An example question follows:

I have several questions about the practical guidelines for evaluating OD interventions proposed by Alzahmi, Rothwell, and Woocheol in their March 2013 article. I work for a software company that custom designs e-appraisal systems for HR departments. Our business has tripled in the last two years. The number of stakeholders involved in new product design, training, help and maintenance, and business development, not to mention customers, is well over 250 now. For example, we’ve hired five training contractors, on the road most of the time, working with clients in their offices. So, here’s my specific concern: As I think about Step 2, identifying key stakeholders and decision makers, how can I find out who wants the evaluation information, why they want it, what they will do with it, and when they will need it? If my reading of William Bridges’ ideas on successful change and transition management is accurate, I need to make sure that stakeholders understand what will be different—or changed—and what they need to do, or not do, to make the changes work. What should I know or keep in mind to accomplish the latter?

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Question 1

Question 2

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 5 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule (note that sources may be identified creatively in place of standard in-text citations). Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 5 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Identify and discuss at least three take-aways (aka significant learnings) from the readings this week on OD evaluation methods and tools, and OD interventions. Focus your take-aways on potential challenges, problems or issues—based on your work experience—that you believe you might encounter if, as described above, you were to assist evaluating OD interventions. Include specific applications to your career goals.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Take-aways related to potential challenges, problems, or issues

1.

2.

3.

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 5 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 6 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Grifo Graficos, a web design and internet marketing company located in Miami, Florida, got hammered during the Recession and during the last few years by increased competition. As the company sought ways to cut costs, Grifo Graficos layed off about half of its staff, mostly designers and programmers, each averaging 8 to 10 years of experience. By replacing and hiring workers located in Chennai, India, millions of dollars could be saved and the company would survive. While saving money was a prime motivator, Grifo Graficos remained committed to keeping its small self-managed work teams made up of highly qualified designers and programmers working closely together. Deep familiarity with products and customers allowed the pre-outsourced teams to cut corners on specifications and task project management.

After six months in out-sourced mode, the 11 time zones separating the team members, lack of experience of the new college grads hired as replacement (experienced designers and programmers are hard to find in India), no on-site manager in Chennai, and the Miami-based teams’ preference for working with teammates a cubicle or two away (not 12,000 miles!), and constant communication problems (the Miami team use English and Spanish), have become a formula for failure. Chennai team members are starting to quit.

What are the work team development challenges Grifo Graficos is facing by outsourcing work to India?

What work team development strategies and tools would help the Indian and U.S. teams work more efficiently and effectively together?

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Work team development challenges in outsourcing work to India

Recommended work team development strategies and tools to maximize efficient and effective remote teamwork

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 6 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule (note that sources may be identified creatively in place of standard in-text citations). Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source relevant to outsourced work team development. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 6 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Create a goal-setting tool tailored for your team, unit, office, or department based on components illustrated graphically—for example, as a concept map or flow chart. Each component should be customized to represent specific elements you consider germane to your work target. When completed, examine the tool for at least two challenges you anticipate in the tool’s successful implementation.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Take-aways related to potential challenges, problems, or issues

1.

2.

3.

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 6 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 7 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Identify a learning organization (LO). In your Response, name the organization, summarize why you think your topic qualifies as a learning organization, and examine and explain how the organization’s LO-relevant core values and behaviors reflect and support your determination that your topic is an effective learning organization. Along with Week 7 readings on LOs, seek information from your topic’s mission and vision statements, code of ethics, employee expectations and company career benefits (hint: LOs often include this information in job postings and descriptions), announcements and articles about, or interviews of, senior leaders, product or service goals or marketing, and/or press releases. To jump start your LO selection, see http://www.astd.org/Publications/Magazines/TD/TD-Archive/2013/10/BEST-Intro.

Postscript: becoming familiar with several candidates in the BEST category could be very helpful preparation for this week’s Question 2.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Learning organization: [name]

Why [name of LO] is a learning organization

LO-relevant core values and behaviors, activities, and other cultural aspects

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 7 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 7 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

Suppose you receive a new job offer from an organization experiencing planned OD-inspired change. What three (or more) key questions reflecting the topics covered in Week 7 readings would you need answered to your satisfaction to make your decision about taking the job? Explain why the questions are important to you and your career goals.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Question 1

Why important to you and your career goals?

Question 2

Why important to you and your career goals?

Question 3

Why important to you and your career goals?

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 7 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples to support your claims. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Week 8 Learning Activity

Learning Activity #1–Critical Thinking Activity

Due Sunday, May 7, by midnight

This Learning Activity requires that you create and post 1) a progress report of your BMGT 465 Assignment 3 (satisfying the Response 1 requirement for this week), and 2) “thumbnail” formative—or in-process—suggestions and evaluations of at least one fellow students’ progress report. This week’s LA 1, Question 1, then, has two Parts.

Part 1:

Reflect on your choice of, and research accomplished thus far for, your Situation Analysis, or Assignment 3. While Assignment 3 is not due until midnight Sunday, you should be well along with the research needed, a short-list of credible, germane annotated references, at least roughly organized notes pulling together data and information, and with a rough idea about how organizational change and transformation concepts, methods, strategies, and practices apply to an actual, real world organization. Perhaps you even have a rough draft ready for peer and instructor review. Feel free to attached roughly organized notes or draft.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Part 1

Three reasons why I chose [name of organization studying] for Assignment 3

Reason 1

Reason 2

Reason 3

Five or more useful references to date

Reference 1

How useful?

Reference 2

How useful?

Reference 3

How useful?

Reference 4

How useful?

Reference 5

How useful?

Part 2

Constructively critique at least one other Situational Analysis paper (Assignment 3), plus submit the standard minimum two replies. To encourage meeting grading criteria in the final draft, I recommend that you use the Assignment 3 detailed instructions and Grading Rubric to organize and format your critique.

Reply separately per Guidelines to at least two fellow students’ commentaries.

Analyze data, information, and ideas from the Week 8 readings and other resources listed in the Course Schedule. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least three required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule (included in your Reference list above). Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source (also included in your reference list above). Integrate and use bold font for at least three organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (integrate in reasons for topic selection and/or reference annotations). Use examples as appropriate. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question. Refer to the Week 8 Overview to reinforce the course learning outcome(s) and key concepts addressed in this week’s conference.

Learning Activity #2–Workplace Application Activity

What kind of OD assignment (e.g., Learning Activity, research-writing assignment, manageable field-based project, Prezi presentation) would effectively increase your understanding of the challenges confronting the future of organization in the twenty-first century? Based on Week 8 readings and resources, outline your “dream” assignment focused on a variation of this week’s topic—e.g., how OD can effectively serve organizations in view of twenty-first century challenges….? Include your rationale for why your assignment would successfully increase your understanding and apply directly to your career goals.

Use the following headings to organize and format your Response:

Assignment Title:

Assignment Purpose:

Brief Overview:

Major Assignment Components and Rationale for Including:

Component

Component

Component, etc.

Review data, information, and ideas from the Week 8 readings and resources. Create a Response evidencing and citing at least two required readings/resources, primarily from this week’s schedule. Also, identify, analyze, and integrate at least one well founded, credible outside source. Integrate and use bold font for at two organizational change concepts, methods, theories, strategies, principles, or practices (at least one per factor/aspect). Use examples as appropriate. Cite all reference sources using APA format. Use in-text parenthetical citations, for example, (Cummings & Worley, 2005, p. 17)—please include page number(s), or other location such as chapter and section heading, or URL—within your Response content, and full citations at end (see Content/Using APA). Review the Discussion Guidelines to clarify expectations for successfully completing this question.

Mini Change Observation Paper

Instructions

Mini Change Observation Paper (20 percent)

Due Sunday, March 26, by midnight

Purpose:

To recognize and better understand significant organizational change by examining challenges, stakeholder support and participation, communication processes, and reinforcement and stabilization relevant to, and involved in, the change.

Course Outcome:

To identify and diagnose organizational problems and opportunities in order to improve performance

Deliverable:

Three to four-page paper, plus title page and bibliography.

Introduction to Assignment

For this assignment you will identify an organization that you are familiar with, and that has undergone a significant organizational change. You will describe the organization, its purpose, size, history, and other pertinent contextual information. Applying critical thinking skills, you will answer key OD questions about the change you observed, challenges associated with that change, changes in leadership, support and followership, the change in communication process, and how the change was reinforced and stabilized.

Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. The paper must clearly demonstrate your ability to apply what you have learned about organization change in this course to date. Strive to be original along with applying data, information, and ideas from the required reading and your outside research.

Instructions

1) Review the assignment purpose above and the Research and Writing Grading Rubric.

2) Identify an organization that you are familiar with that has undergone a significant organizational change.

3) Briefly describe the organization. Use an outline format (see template in Instruction 8). Include the organization’s name, industry category (e.g., financial, health, manufacturing, technology, government), location (include physical and online/website locations), purpose (e.g. mission and vision), size, history (abbreviated timeline with significant benchmarks bulleted), organizational structure (e.g., flat, hierarchical, team-oriented, virtual, formal or informal).

4) Analyze the points below demonstrating critical thinking and reasoning; for example, explain “why” and “how” as well as describe “what” and “who.”

The observed organizational change.

The challenges associated with the change.

Major organization stakeholders involved in the change as leaders, champions, and followers.

Communicating the change to the organization.

Reinforcing and stabilizing the change in the organization.

5) Identify and integrate at least five OD concepts, methods, strategies, or practices in your analysis. Use bold font to highlight the concepts, methods, strategies, or practices. Demonstrate through context and/or endnotes your understanding of the terms definitions.

6) Use data, information, and ideas from at least three of the Weeks 1 and 2 course resource materials and from at least two credible, authoritative, relevant outside sources for a total of at least five references. Your references should show a mix of scholarly and applied/practical sources. Use UMUC’s Information Library System (ILS). Cite the weekly course resources and outside research sources within the paper’s body using APA in-text formatting. Include a Reference list with complete source information at the end of the paper. You are expected to paraphrase, using quotes only when the source’s verbatim statements uniquely enhance meaning and understanding. Deductions will be taken when quotes are overused and found to be unnecessary.

See examples below and in Content/Course Resources/Using APA.

In-text citation (note inclusion of page number):

(Casey, 2002, p.50).

Reference citation:

Casey, C. (2002). Critical analysis of organizations: Theory, practice, revitalization. London: Sage.

7) Determine what significant learning and understanding you gained from your research and analysis. To do this, identify and evaluate at least three lessons learned from your organization change analysis. Describe why these lessons learned are valuable, and explain how you envision applying them to your job or career.

8) Create a title page with your name, the course name, assignment title, name of the organization, date, and instructor’s name. Use the headings and subheadings template below to organize your paper’s content. Add other headings as your findings, ideas, and assertions dictate.

A. Organization Selected: [name]

Location: [geographic and online]

Purpose:

Size:

History [bulleted timeline of significant benchmarks]

Organization structure:

B. Organization change analysis

Change observed

Challenges associated with the change

Major stakeholders involved in the change

Change communication [See resource added to Week 2 readings]

Change reinforcement and stabilization

C. Significant learning

D. References

9) Use Microsoft Word for your text documents. Use the following title: _ [your last name] _Change Observation_465. Try to be concise and keep your paper at three to four pages in length (plus cover page and references), but rest assured that substance is more important than length. Again, APA reference format is required.

10) Submit your paper in your assignment folder by the due date.

Case Study

Purpose: To examine and understand OD diagnosis and intervention, including

data collection methods

key organizational and individual change problems, challenges, opportunities

interpersonal, structural, technological, and behavioral approaches and strategies.

Course Outcomes:

Identify and diagnose organizational problems and opportunities in order to improve performance.

Research and identify appropriate interventions, strategies for implementation, and methods for evaluation to resolve organizational problems and take advantage of opportunities

Introduction to Case Study Assignments

The case method is not only the most relevant and practical way to learn managerial skills, it’s exciting and fun….Cases will help you sharpen your analytical skills, since you must produce quantitative and qualitative evidence to support your recommendations….You will learn from rigorous discussion and controversy….The rewards for these responsibilities are a series of highly exciting, practically oriented educational experiences that bring out a wide range of topics and viewpoints.

John S. Hammond, Learning by the Case Method, Harvard Business School.

Case studies present an invaluable tool to learn about and hone knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful organization development. Specifically, this assignment will focus on two key OD steps—first, diagnostics, and second, intervention and evaluation—requiring a theoretical and practical understanding of organization change as required in the text and outside resources.

Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. Keep in mind the paper must clearly demonstrate your ability to apply what you have learned about OD diagnostics, intervention and evaluation in this course to the date. Demonstrate critical thinking. Use American Psychological Association (APA) format for in-text citations and the bibliography.

Instructions

1) Review the assignment purpose and the Research and Writing Grading Rubric.

2) Read carefully the Case Study “Leading Change at Saint Theresa Hospital.”

3) Review the meaning and purpose of OD intervention and the evaluation process to underscore your understanding.

4) Identify three key issues/problems and challenges—including causes—facing Saint Theresa Hospital. Analyze and assess the case following the steps outlined in the diagnostic process below.

Three-step Diagnostic Process:

Identify at least two data collection tools/methods you would use to best gather information necessary to analyze the case. These can be interviews, surveys, focus groups, quantitative data, direct observation, and so forth. What are the advantages and potential disadvantages of each chosen type of information-gathering method used in this particular case?

Based on the diagnostic tools/methods you selected, what key OD findings— problems, challenges, and opportunities- were identified? You must define at least three key findings.

Next, group challenges, opportunities, and problems according to the most appropriate diagnostic model (e.g., research OD systems approach, Four Frames Model, Six-Box Diagnostic Model, differentiation-and-integration, sociotechnical-systems, and force-field analysis). Outside research on diagnostic models will be particularly important to supplement and fill in the gaps.

5) Identify specific, appropriate interventions and evaluation approaches for each category of the issues/problems you have identified in the Case Study “Leading Change at Saint Theresa Hospital”. You are expected to go beyond what is presented in the required readings by researching outside sources for information about the intervention strategies and evaluation processes you select. Be specific about the

a. target and content of the intervention (i.e., problem to be addressed);

b. challenges you will face implementing the intervention;

c. method of evaluation in each intervention, including the performance criteria you will use to do the evaluation (i.e., what you would specifically measure); for example, turnover rates, job knowledge tests, absenteeism, production standards, or customer complaints.

6) Identify and integrate at least six OD concepts, methods, strategies, or practices in your analysis. Use bold font to highlight the concepts, methods, strategies, or practices. Demonstrate through context and/or endnotes your understanding of the terms definitions.

7) Seek and draw from data, information, and ideas from at least four required course readings and at least four credible, authoritative, relevant outside for a total of at least eight references. Your references should show a mix of scholarly and applied/practical sources, largely drawn from UMUC’s Information Library System (ILS), and including classic writings. Cite the required readings and outside research sources within the paper’s body using APA in-text formatting. Include a bibliography with complete source information at the end of the paper. You are expected to paraphrase, using quotes only when the source’s verbatim statements uniquely enhance meaning and understanding. Deductions will be taken when quotes are overused and found to be unnecessary.

In-text citation (note inclusion of page number):

See examples below and in Content/Course Resources/Using APA:

(Casey, 2002, p.50).

Reference citation:

Casey, C. (2002). Critical analysis of organizations: Theory, practice, revitalization. London: Sage.

8) Determine what significant learning and understanding you gained from your research and analysis. To do this, identify and evaluate at least three lessons learned from your organization change analysis. Describe why these lessons learned are valuable, and explain how you envision applying them to your job or career.

9) Use the headings and subheadings below. Under each heading or subheading present the appropriate facts and ideas to describe, make assertions, and explain and support those assertions. This means using expository writing style with full sentences and paragraphs to create the paper’s content. Use examples and cite support sources as outlined above. Review instructions above to ensure all requirements for each section are met.

A. Title page [your name, the course name, assignment, the name of the case study, the date, and instructor’s name]

B. Brief description of OD Diagnosis and Intervention and evaluation

C. Data Collection Methods

Method 1

Advantages

Potential disadvantages

Method 2

Advantages

Potential disadvantages

Method 3 (optional but encouraged for outstanding papers)

Advantages

Potential disadvantages

D. Key OD findings (problems, challenges, opportunities, and issues)

Finding 1

Finding 2

Finding 3

Finding 4 (optional but encouraged for outstanding papers)

E. OD Diagnostic Models

Model 1: (name, brief description)

– finding/s for which strategy is appropriate and why

Model 2: (name, brief description)

– finding/s for which strategy is appropriate and why

Model 3: [name, brief description]

– finding/s for which strategy is appropriate and why

F. Appropriate Interventions

Intervention 1

– Problem/issue to be addressed

– Expected implementation challenges

– Intervention evaluation method

Intervention 2

– Problem/issue to be addressed

– Expected implementation challenges

– Intervention evaluation method

Intervention 3

– Problem/issue to be addressed

– Expected implementation challenges

– Intervention evaluation method

G. Significant learning

H. Bibliography

10) Use Microsoft Word for your text documents. Use the following title: _ [your last name] _Case Study Analysis_465. Try to be concise and keep your paper at four to five pages in length (plus cover page and bibliography), but rest assured that substance is more important than length.

11) Submit your paper in your assignment folder by the due date.

Situational Analysis

Purpose:

to recognize and better understand significant organizational change encountered by existing, real-world companies

to reinforce OD concepts, strategies, and interventions presented in the course

Course Outcome:

To apply management principles to support organizational transformation and change.

Deliverable:

Approximately six-page paper, plus title page and bibliography.

Introduction to Assignment

For this final assignment, you will draw from OD data, information, and knowledge presented and discussed throughout the term. You will examine a real-world organization that has undergone significant system wide organizational change and/or transformation. You will choose among the organizations listed below. Your research on, and subsequent analysis of, the organization change and/or transformation will lead to the identification, and clearer understanding, of significant management challenges encountered by the company.

Read and follow all the Instructions carefully. Bear in mind, the paper must clearly demonstrate your ability to apply what you have learned in this course about organization change. Demonstrate critical thinking. Strive to be original along with applying data, information, and ideas from the required readings/resources and your outside research. Use American Psychological Association (APA) format for in-text citations and references.

Instructions

1) Review the assignment purpose and the Research and Writing Grading Rubric

2) Select for analysis one of the organizations identified below that has undergone—or is undergoing—significant system wide organizational change and/or transformation.

Volkswagen

Uber

Marriott

Costco

Facebook

Homeland Security

3) Research and analyze the organizational change or transformation you identified in the company you selected. Pay particular attention to management challenges that you think the company encountered as a result of the change. Specific points that should be addressed are:

a. Why do you consider this a transformational change?

b. What data/information did or should the organization have collected to assess the need for change?

c. What interventions did or should the organization implement?

d. How did or should they measure the success of the intervention?

e. As a manager in the organization, what could you have done to enhance the success of the transformation?

f. What environmental factors did and should they consider (e.g., external laws and regulations, pool of applicants, needs of the community, and so forth)?

4) Integrate and present in bold font at least eight OD-related concepts, principles, strategies, methods, and/or practices in your analysis. Demonstrate through context and/or endnotes your understanding of the term meanings and application. You are encouraged to identify (use proper citation) and/or create graphics and illustrations (e.g., concept maps, charts, tables) to support your claims.

5) Seek and draw data, information, and ideas from at least five weekly course resources and at least three credible, authoritative, relevant outside sources relevant to the company’s change or transformation for a total of at least eight references. Your references should show a mix of scholarly and applied/practical sources, largely drawn from UMUC’s Information Library System (ILS), and including respected media sources such as the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business Week, or New York Times. Cite the course resources and outside research sources within the paper’s body using APA in-text formatting. Include a reference list with complete source information at the end of the paper. You are expected to paraphrase, using quotes only when the source’s verbatim statements uniquely enhance meaning and understanding. Deductions will be taken when quotes are overused and found to be unnecessary.

See examples below and in Content/Course Resources/Using APA:

In-text citation (note inclusion of page number):

(Casey, 2002, p.50).

Reference citation:

Casey, C. (2002). Critical analysis of organizations: Theory, practice, revitalization. London: Sage.

6) Determine what significant learning and understanding you gained from your research and analysis. To do this, identify and evaluate at least three lessons learned from your organization change analysis. Describe why these lessons learned are valuable, and explain how you envision applying them to your job or career.

7) Use the headings and subheadings below. Under each heading or subheading present the appropriate facts and ideas to describe, make assertions, and explain and support those assertions. This means using expository writing style with full sentences and paragraphs to create the paper’s content under headings. Use examples and cite support sources as outlined above. Review instructions above to ensure all requirements for each section are met.

A. Title page [your name, the course name, the name of the organization, the date, and instructor’s name]

B. Organization selected for analysis: [name]

C. Summary of organization’s change and/or transformation

D. Change and transformation analysis findings:

– Brief description of transformational change

– Rationale for considering this a transformational change

– Evaluation of data/information collected by the organization

– Discussion of implemented or recommended interventions

Which interventions and why?

Measuring interventions’ success

E. Transformational success from a manager’s perspective

F. Environmental factors (see Instruction 3 f. above)

G. Significant learning

H. References

8) Use Microsoft Word for your text documents. Use the following title: _ [your last name] _Situational Analysis_465. Try to be concise and keep your paper at approximately six pages in length (plus cover page and bibliography), but rest assured that substance is more important than length.

9) Submit your paper in your Assignment Folder by the due date.