Posted: April 16th, 2015

Organizational Change or Program Assessment & Planning Paper 25% of Course Grade

Assignment 1: Organizational Change or Program Assessment & Planning Paper 25% of Course Grade

Each team will select a specific type of organizational change or program development to address a particular internal or external need or problem, as approved by the instructor. The team will select an actual organization, and gather as much accessible information as possible, using the organization as a case study. Some elements of the case study may be hypothetical.

Organizational change or program development types:
•    Implementing a Work-Life, EAP, Wellness, Behavioral health Disability Management program or integrated programs, workplace violence or conflict response programs, disaster response programs, expatriate support programs, employee volunteerism programs
•    Inclusion and diversity, engagement, organizational changes including Organizational and employment changes: Onboarding, outsourcing, relocation, mergers, closures, expansion
•    Community relations, community development, corporate giving or corporate social responsibility program or initiative
•    Others as approved by the instructor

Develop a written paper that includes following components below, in a scholarly paper format. For each component, summarize and analyze the information collected following the format of the provided assignment handout. The length of each written section will be 3 to 5 pages (APA format, double-spaced). Cite no less than five (5) scholarly sources across the total assignment.

•    Organizational Assessment (handout provided): Students gather available information on the organization to assess the nature and dynamics of the organization in which the change initiative or program development will occur. Hypothetical information may be added, if necessary
o    Use the handout called Organizational Assessment Elements. Complete as many elements as possible based on accessible information or hypothetical information if you choose. Details will differ based on the organization and the amount of available information.

•    Needs Assessment and Business Case for Addressing Needs (handout provided): Students gather available information and add hypothetical information as needed, including scholarly literature relevant to the need or problem area (Note: there will be no actual data collection). Unique needs of the organization’s population culture and diversity, and an emphasis on vulnerable sub-population within the larger population will be included. Based on scholarly literature a business case argument for addressing the specified problem or needs is included.

o    Use the handout called Needs Assessment and Business Case for Addressing Needs. Complete as many elements as possible based on accessible information, or hypothetical information if you choose. Details will differ based on the organization and the amount of available information. These do not need to lengthy and highly detailed. The Needs Assessment plan is a basic narrative description of how you might assess needs. The Business Case should include the points you would highlight that provide a business rationale. See the handouts for possible content to include.
•    Conclusion:  Include a summary paragraph that critically analyzes and summarizes the nature of the organization, its needs and the potential for addressing a specific need or concern.

Due: Unit 6 (consult instructor for date and time)

Grading Guidelines: For team-based assignments, 80% of each student’s grade for the assignment will be the grade given by the instructor for the team’s response to the assignment. All students must participate in team-based assignments, and each team is provided consultative support and guidance by the instructor. Any student failing to contribute regularly may have to undertake the assignment individually, based on the instructor’s decision. 20% of the student’s grade on each assignment will be based on the group’s confidential evaluation of the individual student’s activities to support the group project, compiled through the use of a survey instrument provided by the instructor.

For each of the assignments below, Content (meeting all content requirements as outlined in the assignment handout and syllabus) will receive a total of 60 evaluation points, Critical Analysis (use of critical thinking, drawing upon literature and knowledge, as outlined in the assignment handout and syllabus) will receive a total of 35 evaluation points, and Quality (correct, and effective use of writing skills and format) will be receive a total of 5 evaluation points.

SOWK 673 – Spring, 2015
Assignment 3: Organizational Change or Program Design Evaluation Plan

Assignment 3A – Organizational Change or Program Design Evaluation Plan Paper – 30% of Course Grade
Based on the results of Assignment 1 and 2, the team will develop a written organizational change or program design evaluation plan. The elements of the evaluation plan should also be researched and supported by assigned class readings or scholarly literature, citing no less than five (5) sources. Students will meet to assign portions of the proposal development for individual responsibilities. The elements of the plan will follow an assignment handout. The proposal will be approximately 10–14 pages in length, APA format, double-spaced or single-spaced for tables or diagrams).

Evaluation Plan Elements: For each plan element, include a brief rationale as to why you selected it, as well as a description of the element.
1.    A specific research design and a diagram of the design: Describe using common research designs, identifying the number of groups (one, two or multiple), the times of measurement (pre-test, post-test, and the number of post-tests), and if groups are randomly assigned.
2.    Hypotheses and variable definitions: Identify the hypotheses based on the predicted effects of the program or change initiative. Hypotheses are limited to major predicted effects. Variables are defined conceptually (what is the nature of the effect) is this section (e.g., “employee absenteeism,” “employee work stress,” rather than by the tool or data collection instrument.
3.    Data collection instruments or tools (including one existing instrument or scale): Identify the measurement to be used for each variable (example: employee absenteeism will be measured by the company’s days of reported absenteeism per year, or employee stress will be measured using the Job Content Questionnaire (naming appropriate sub-scales)). If using a tool that measures multiple concepts, describe the tool and how it relates to the variables to be measured. Be specific about how each variable will be measured. Briefly describe the reliability and validity of each measurement, citing a source for existing instruments, and draw conclusions on reliability and validity for data sources gathered from the employer or employee directly.
4.    Data collection methods and timing: Fully describe all aspects of the data collection process, including, when, how, where, from whom, format (electronic, paper, interview, focus group), and how confidentiality will be maintained.
5.    Population and sampling methods: Describe the population and sampling methods (how employees are involved in the data collection process, and the sample type, as either probability (random) or non-probability (non-random).
6.    Proposed types of results: Considering the hypotheses, design, and variables and data collected, describe the type of results that your study will produce and the value of these results. The type of results to consider include process, quality and/or satisfaction, benchmarks, effectiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit or return-on-investment results.
7.    Proposed report elements, the report’s value, and a dissemination plan: Provide an outline of the report elements (bulleted), a brief description of its value to the organization and stakeholders, and plan for who receives the report.
8.    A conclusion summarizing strengths, limitations and ethical concerns, specifically regarding vulnerable populations: Use basic foundation research concepts, such as reliability and validity of the measurements, design, and sample to address limitations. Consider ethical concerns related to participation in the evaluation and to long-term effects of the evaluation and your predicted results on vulnerable populations and the organization as a whole.

Due: Unit 14                                                            Continued Next Page

Assignment 3B – Team Presentation – 5% of Course Grade
A team presentation of the proposed organizational change or program design (Assignment 2) and the proposed evaluation plan (Assignment 3) will occur during Units 14 and 15. A brief and concise PowerPoint and brief handout 1 to 2 pages should be used.

The presentation should be 15 to 20 minutes in length or as long as determined by the instructor when class size requires it. The presentation should include all team members

Due:  Presentations will take place during Units 14 and 15

Grading Guidelines: For team-based assignments, 80% of each student’s grade for the assignment will be the grade given by the instructor for the team’s response to the assignment. All students must participate in team-based assignments, and each team is provided consultative support and guidance by the instructor. Any student failing to contribute regularly may have to undertake the assignment individually, based on the instructor’s decision. 20% of the student’s grade on each assignment will be based on the group’s confidential evaluation of the individual student’s activities to support the group project, compiled through the use of a survey instrument provided by the instructor.

Content (meeting all content requirements as outlined in the assignment handout and syllabus) will receive a total of 60 evaluation points, Critical Analysis (use of critical thinking, drawing upon literature and knowledge, as outlined in the assignment handout and syllabus) will receive a total of 35 evaluation points, and Quality (correct, and effective use of writing skills and format) will be receive a total of 5 evaluation points.