Posted: June 3rd, 2015

Topic: Organizational Capacity

Section 1: Begin Writing Final Paper (5–7 pages) (A2-W1)

For the first section of your Final Paper, you will identify and analyze five key steps you believe are necessary to create an assessment process and establish a sequenced flow. This should demonstrate your understanding of how organizational capacity is built and managed.

Week 3 Assignment 3

Drawing upon the insights you have gained from this 2-week unit’s learning activities and your own academic research, apply your insight to your chosen organization. Referring to the “how to” link (http://www.brighthubpm.com/methods-strategies/76008-looking-for-gaps-walking-through-a-sample-analysis/), conduct a gap analysis as part of the process employed in determining what the organization is missing in building capacity and agility internally.

As you write Section 2 of your Final Paper, consider the variables that influence organizational capacity, and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing, alliances, and partnerships in building organizational agility and capacity. As you evaluate potential models of partnerships and alliances for your chosen organization, note the variables that impact and influence them (e.g., size, culture, or mission). Acknowledge other models HR professionals use in assessing different types of business partnerships and evaluating opportunities to create organizational leverage.

Section 3: Continue Writing Final Paper (5–7 pages) (A2-W5)

One of the most important facets of an alliance, partnership, or outsourcing is setting clear expectations for all parties. Each must understand what is expected in order to avoid surprises or unanticipated outcomes. Knowing when intervention is necessary is crucial in oversight.

As you write Section 3 of your Final Paper, consider the negotiations and leadership competencies that are needed for optimal alternative delivery oversight. Drawing upon and applying the insights you have gained from this 2-week unit’s learning activities and your own academic research, create an implementation plan for the elements that require oversight in partnerships and alliances, and which will support the competencies brought to the table by your organization’s HR.

Final Project: Final Paper and Flowchart Submission (A2-W7)

As you compile, edit, and finalize the three main sections of your paper and build your flowchart, identify the processes you might recommend to organizational leaders for critiquing and improving business practices. Explain how you would design a decision-making process flow to evaluate key elements in using partnering or outsourcing to build agility and capacity in your chosen organization.

Refer to the “Final Paper Guidelines” document in the Learning Resources area of Week 1 for Final Project details.

Compile your Final Paper and flowchart into one document and submit by Day 7 of Week 7.

Final Project: Final Paper and Flowchart

The Final Project for this course will entail creating a process for HR to use to assess potential partnerships and alliances. It should be based on steps required of due diligence, while drawing upon the unique knowledge and experience of HR. You will develop your own preferred model of how this process will work, based on readings and integrated learning derived throughout the course. It is imperative to be clear about what organizational capacity is and how to build it when developing such a model. Care should be taken to incorporate theoretical context for the flow of the model. A rapid-fire graphic flow chart will be part of this project. You might well be able to use this chart immediately in an HR leadership position as part of your pragmatic application toolkit.

The question, then, as always, is where do you begin in assessing internal capabilities that create organizational capacity, before looking for complementary talent, expertise, and service externally? In this seminar, you will select an organization with which you are familiar, and develop a process for its HR to use to assess potential partnerships and alliances.

Paper

Across the first 7 weeks of the course, three sections of the final paper will be introduced—each consisting of 5–7 pages. (These sections will be turned in as parts of your Final Paper, which is due in Week 7.)

The paper should include an extensive context for building organizational capacity and defining the role of HR leaders today. Some background on partnership and alliance models, for use by HR leaders and organizations, must be part of the context. The paper should also conclude with recommendations for this process as a tool in your chosen organization, and in dynamic business environments that require optimal organizational agility.

Your Final Paper should adhere to APA format (6th edition), which requires a title page, an abstract, a reference list, and appropriate sections and their headings. Your paper should include your Week 3 annotated Bibliography: A thorough review of the literature (minimum of 20 resources, with 85% being five or less years old and peer reviewed) that shows evidence of a potential research opportunity/gap that has not been discussed in the academic literature

Flowchart

Your flowchart should illustrate the process that assesses potential models that address your organization’s needs for high-growth and capacity within today’s challenging business environment.