This will be the first phase toward building your capstone project, using a “han

This will be the first phase toward building your capstone project, using a “hands on”
application-oriented approach. Your assignment is to find an actual organization to propose a
plan for organizational development. You will play the role of an expert or consultant, internal
or external, tasked with pitching a plan. Using the skills and knowledge you are gaining in this
course, you will critique the current state of the organization and make informed
recommendations toward organizational development. Your research will include the work of
scholars from the literature, and various government or public domain documents on the subject.
Students will provide a thorough analysis, focusing on key points and concepts.
The research project will comprise the “traditional” style of graduate research associated with
term papers. The intent of this project is to take knowledge and apply it to the practice. Each
student will identify an actual organization (it can be the student’s or another). Your task is
twofold: (1) Use research to evaluate the organization; and (2) Propose a plan for organizational
development.
Discussion: A more narrowly focused proscription for the project will be offered for this course.
It is essential in the very limited time we have in the term to have fairly tight guidelines for this
project. Follow the instructions carefully and completely to be successful.
In conducting your research and crafting a plan of organizational development, you will focus on
five (5) key areas adapted from the textbook –
1. Anticipating Change
2. Understanding the Organizational Development Process
3. Improving Excellence in Individuals
4. Developing High Performance in Teams
5. Building Success in the Organization
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This project is a combination “traditional” style of research associated with term papers and a
consultant report. In this part, follow the APA style and write no less than 10 pages and no more
than 15 pages, with the following sections:
• Introduction (no more than one page; overview of what you will present, including the
high points of your work; tell us about the organization you selected and how you will
conduct the critique/analysis).
• Literature Review (multiple pages; this is where you pull together the knowledge that
will inform your recommendations and evaluates the organization you have selected).
• Findings/Discussion (multiple pages; using the five key areas above, what did you learn
and how does it apply to your organization?).
• Implications/Conclusion (no more than two pages; what does it all mean and what are
your recommendations for the organization going forward?)
• Reference List (here’s a clue — this is the first section I check to see how much work
was done on the project; APA requires that only those references actually used in the
paper appear in the list).
The recommendations should only be an “overview” version similar to an executive report. I am
not looking for the typical consultant’s loose-leaf binder filled with paper (you can do that at
work). The intent here is not to complicate the assignment, rather to get the exposure to
organizational development.
Course Project/Presentation: The organization you selected believes you have done such an
outstanding job in recommending development strategies that you will also be assigned to
present it to your stakeholders for approval. It is fairly common for administrators to present
their work in front of peers, managers, community groups, and elected officials – to name a few.
You will too.
Students will make a “live” PowerPoint presentation recorded in Zoom. If you are not familiar
with PowerPoint, you are strongly encouraged to learn this before you are required to submit
your presentation. Presume you would have 10-15 minutes if you had to make this presentation
if you were in front of a live audience. You will appear on screen to introduce yourself and your
topic. You will then “screen share” your PowerPoint presentation. Once you have completed the
presentation, you will re-appear on screen to conclude. Give your computer rime to process
saving the Zoom recording, which you will post as your assignment.
All research projects and presentations will be submitted the final week of the term, and no later
than 11:59 PM EST on posted date. You can always submit early, but not late.
Additional Research Information: Students will use the standard APA style of noting
references used. Students may use the endnote or footnote style, whichever better suits them
(though these are not required). Poor writing quality will produce a substantially lower grade.
Proper spelling, grammar, and syntax are important. In the age of spell and grammar checks,
there are no excuses for simple proofreading errors.
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The project and presentation will be submitted to respective places on the assignment pages.
Written assignments will be in Word format only.
References can be a real problem area for those who do not take graduate school research
seriously enough to be successful. The internet is a very tricky place for doing research, because
so much of it is not academic or not true (or both). The regular “Wikipedia” site may be nice to
read, but it is not considered an academic research site! Use academic journals, books, and
articles (like those used in the course readings!); there are academic reference search engines too.