Writers Den

PSC495
Week 1 Affinity Diagram and Root Cause Analysis Latest 2017 December

Details:

The purpose of this assignment is to use an affinity diagram
to brainstorm and identify root causes of the organizational problem and potential
solutions for addressing it.

Now that you have identified the basic problem you want to
resolve within your organization, you will need to think about root causes for
the problem. Read the Topic Materials and the “Brainstorming With an
Affinity Diagram” handout to help you narrow and specify the cause(s) for
the problem.

Complete the affinity diagram action steps outlined on the
“Brainstorming With an Affinity Diagram” handout, including the
“Five Whys Root Causes Analysis.” This can be done using online mind
mapping resources like those found in the Topic Materials, by using post-it
notes, or through the use of Excel or Word documents and tables. When
constructing the affinity diagram, be sure to complete all six steps described
on the handout. You will reference these root causes

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is
expected.

Brainstorming With an Affinity Diagram

An affinity diagram is a visual tool that organizes ideas by
themes and is often used in brainstorming sessions to determine both root
causes and potential solutions for a problem. This tool is most effective for
face-to-face meetings; however, with the advancement of technology and shared
desktop spaces, this method could be adapted for virtual teams. Participants in
the process should include individuals from all stakeholder groups associated
with the problem.

1. Introduce the problem or issue to participants.Normally,
the facilitator has identified the problem or issue prior to the meeting. The
process of introducing the problem and explaining how it is defined in the
context of the project increases understanding of the participants and produces
ideas that are aligned with the problem.

Example Problem/Issue:Voluntary attrition in the call center
is 60%.

2. Proceed by brainstorming causes for the problem.
Participants should use a separate sticky note to identify each item they
believe is a cause of the problem (see example below). “Why”
questions are often very beneficial when thinking about the problem.

Example “Why” Question:Why are call center
employees voluntarily leaving the company at such a high rate?

3. Sort ideas into themes based upon commonalities (see
example below).

Leadership

Progression

Compensation and Benefits

Employee Training and Tools

Systems

Low compensation

Lack of employee training

System hard to use

No leader training

Lack of career path

Lack of procedural support

Benefits too costly

System frequently down

Lack of performance feedback

Lack of performance standards

4. Establish connections. As a team, discuss the categories
and examine how they could potentially link together.

Example Connection:In this case, the “Leadership” theme
had the most items.This item could be potentially aligned with the
“Progression” themesince employees do not believe they are receiving
feedback or have a clear career path.

5. Establish the root cause of the problem. Look at the
established themes and ask “why” questions until the real root cause
of the issue is identified (see example below). At this stage of the process,
many people prefer the use of different colored sticky notes for the root
causes that align to the ideas that have been brainstormed.

Example: Five Whys Root Cause Analysis:

Defined Problem:Voluntary attrition in the call center is
60%.

Why are call center employees voluntarily leaving the
company at such a high rate?

· Employees feel there is a lack of leadership.

Why is that?

· Employees do not know the performance standards.

Why is that?

· Employees do not receive feedback about their performance.

Why is that?

· Managers have not been trained in providing performance
feedback.

Why is that?

· There is no manager training program.

Why is that?

· Most managers are promoted from the call center floor to
fill immediate vacancies, so there is no time for training.

6. Validate the root causes (or causes) of the problem.
Validation of root causes requires reviewing reporting or survey results.The
validation phase separates the “noise” from real root causes of the
problem.Noise is considered any item of low impact and low volume; however, it
may be a recent event that individuals considered when brainstorming, like
system downtime.

PSC495
Week 1 Problem Statement Latest 2017 December

Details:

The purpose of this assignment is to identify an
organizational problem to solve within your current workplace or industry and
construct a problem statement that can be used as the basis for an action
research project.

For this assignment, the first step is to identify an
organizational problem to solve within your current workplace or industry. This
is an opportunity for you to apply your learning while addressing a real-world
problem.

Part of completing an action research project is clearly
identifying and stating the organizational problem that needs to be resolved
through the use of a problem statement. The problem statement must clearly
articulate the single goal of the action research project. Use what you have
learned in the Topic Materials to construct a problem statement for your action
research project. Read and complete the “Writing a Problem Statement”
handout to construct your problem statement. Submit the completed handout to your
instructor.

Your problem statement will eventually become part of your
final business proposal that will be submitted in Topic 8.

APA style is not required, but solid academic writing is
expected.

Writing a Problem Statement Worksheet

Complete each section of the chart below. Refer back to the
section guidelines and completed sample worksheet above as needed.

Original problem or focusing question	·
Stakeholders who are most affected by the problem	· ·
Impact to stakeholders	· ·
Type of problem	·
Suspected cause(s) of the problem	· · · ·
Goal for improvement and long-term impact	·
Proposal for addressing the problem	· ·
Final problem statement	·

PSC495 Week 2 Benchmark – Data
Collection Latest 2017 December

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:

While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment,
solid academic writing is expected, and 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.

PSC495
Week 3 Stakeholder Analysis Latest 2017 December

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.

1. Summarize
stakeholder attitudes about the identified problem and support your summary
with specific data from your collection tool.

2. Summarize
stakeholder attitudes or experiences related to previously implemented problem
solutions and support your summary with specific data from your collection
tool.

3. Summarize
stakeholder ideas for potential solutions and support your summary with
specific data from your collection tool.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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 style is not required, but solid academic
writing is expected.

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.

PSC495
Week 4 Problem Solution Matrix Latest 2017 December

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 information 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.

PSC495 Week 4,5,6,7,8 Assignments
Latest 2017 December

Week 4

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 information 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 style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.

Problem Solutions Matrix
Directions: You will use this matrix to record previous attempts to address the problem and proposed problem solutions. Complete the columns on the matrix as directed. For the “Previous Problem Solution/Proposed Problem Solution” column, include a detailed description of the solution, including the source of the solution. In the case of a previous solution, the source could be a manager interview, while the source for a proposed solution could be a link to an online reference article or resource. All other columns must rank the specified element as it relates to the solution using a 1, 3, or 5, with 5 being the highest ranking. Note that the “Customer Importance” column is weighted at twice the value of the other categories, since the impact of a solution on customers if of utmost importance.For example, if the solution was very important to the customer experience, it would earn a 5. If that same solution was only a 1 in efficiency and quality, then a 1 would be used in those two columns. If employees were somewhat satisfied with the solution and it was in the middle in terms of cost-effectiveness, then both of those columns would be ranked as a 3. When calculated, the overall solution score would be 18. This number could then be used to compare the solution to other solutions as a means of determining whether or not it should receive further consideration for implementation as a problem-solving strategy.
	Customer Importance	Efficiency	Quality	Employee Satisfaction	Cost-Effectiveness	Solutions Score
Previous Problem Solution	Rank each item as a 1, 3, or 5, with 5 as highest ranking.Note:Customer Importance is weighted more heavily than other categories.
						0
						0
						0
						0
Proposed Problem Solution	Rank each item as a 1, 3, or 5, with 5 as highest ranking.Note:Customer Importance is weighted more heavily than other categories.
						0
						0
						0
						0
						0
						0
						0
						0

Week 5

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 Topic Materials. The 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.

1. Purpose
   Statement(100-250
   words) provides clear statement of why the business proposal is being
   made.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Stakeholder
   Analysis and Benefits (500 words, revised as
   needed from Topic 3 assignment feedback)
6. 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.

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the
APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not
required

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to
beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for
successful completion.

Business Proposal Project Summary

Throughout this course you will be completing an action
research project based on a real organizational problem that you identify. The
assignments for each week build on one another, so it is important to complete
each one. Content from each assignment will be used to complete the final
business proposal in Topic 8.

There are several parts to the business proposal, and each
part has been explained and briefly outlined below. The descriptions provided
should be used as a guide to assist you with constructing each section of the
business proposal. Word count guidelines are provided for each section of the
business proposal.

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 in which the problem exists. Focus on this audience as you write.
Within the Word document, include subsection titles to organize the content
according to the categories listed below to provide easy reference points fo