case study

Problems of Practice Case Study:

Constituent Building to Form a New University and Promote Regional Economic Development

in

Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for

EDD=FPX8520 – Educational Leadership by Design

Prepared by

(Learner’s Name)

Capella University

(Date)

Instructor:

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Table of Contents INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................... 3

PART 1: ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION AND PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION ................................. 3

SITE INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................................. 3 PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION .......................................................................................................................... 3 EXISTING DATA ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 MISSING DATA ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 ORGANIZATION GOALS/OBJECTIVES/MISSIONG/VISION ...................................................................................... 4 YOUR ROLE ............................................................................................................................................................. 4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM ............................................................................................................................... 4

PART 2: APPLICATION OF SYSTEMS THINKING CONCEPTS ................................................................. 5

PART 3: DIAGRAMMING AND COMMUNICATION OF EXISTING DATA .......... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

PART 4: DATA COLLECTION PLAN ......................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

PART 5: DESIGNING A WAY FORWARD ........................................................................................................ 7

REFERENCES. .............................................................................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

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Template Instructions Different sections of this course project template will be completed as weekly assignments. Follow the instructions in the course room for each assignment and the instructions in italics below for each section. Briefly, you are a consultant whom Lieutenant General (LTG) Bob Johnson and the Central Texas University Taskforce has engaged to help them decide how to move forward with the task force. You were chosen because of your expertise in systems thinking, identifying problems and their causes, and organizational change. The unit assignments provide exercises and tools to identify, analyze, and understand the problem in order to provide the best counsel to Nancy. Delete the instructions (in italics), including these, before you submit the final draft of the Problems of Practice in Unit 9. Do not delete the headings.

Introduction This Introduction section will be the last piece that you will compose prior to submitting the final completed template for Problems of Practice. Provide a one-paragraph introduction for the paper, stating the plan’s purpose (to identify, analyze, and address a problem within the Central Texas University Task Force.)

Part 1: Organization Description and Problem Identification Site Information: What is happening here? The purpose of this section is to introduce the case study site in no more than one to two paragraphs. Provide a short description of key information that you have gleaned regarding the organization. Do not copy and paste from the case study but rather paraphrase important and relevant site information. The organizational introduction should include items such as name and location of the organization, its size (number of employees, revenues, and so on), mission, its organizational structure (departments, divisions, and so forth). Purpose of the Task Force: What overall purposes are being served by the Task Force? Explain the role (function or purpose) of the task force. Support this narrative with data and evidence. Stakeholders and Participants: Whose vision is being fulfilled by the task force? Whose interests are being served? Whose needs are being met? Name the stakeholder groups who will benefit from or will be impacted by task force’s activities What groups have a stake in decisions that will be made for the future? Describe the key stakeholders’ roles and why/how they would be impacted by decisions that will be made? Existing Data: What is the source of our knowledge for this case? What do we know about the dilemma faced by the Task Force? What data are available? Identify the sources of existing data and list the key indicators that you will use to form your problem statement.

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Missing Data? Are there voices that are being silenced, excluded, or denied? What information is missing? What questions do you have that cannot be answered by existing information or data? Identify those people you believe should be participants in both identifying and working towards a solution of the problem. (such as people from whom you would plan to collect feedback, input, or data, or with whom you would collaborate to complete this problem identification and improvement process). Task Force Goals/Objectives/Vision/Mission: Who says that this is the way things should be? Identify the original goals/objectives/vision and mission of the Task Force. (In some cases, the objective observer (you) will find that the objectives of the program were insufficiently defined. The Task Force depends on the use of the original program objectives to determine if the program has met its objectives and fulfilled its mission. When objectives are missing, the objective observer should request and review documents to determine if the objectives can be derived from those documents. Initial Draft Statement of the Problem: Construct a clear single problem statement that is void of causes and/or solutions that have not yet been implemented. Begin this section by completing this sentence: “The problem in the organization is that…” The Dilemma: What is happening here? What do we know about the dilemma faced by the Task Force? Having studied available data and information provided in the case and reviewed the Organization’s mission, goals, and purpose, explain what we know about the current state of the Task Force and the dilemma facing the LTG Bod Johnson. Report only what you know about the current situation and do not allude to or present potential ways to resolve the dilemma. (Do not include a description or summary of the options presented in the case.)

Part 2: Diagramming and Application of Systems Thinking Concepts Alignment of Task Force Information with System Thinking Concepts: Diagram of the dynamics and tensions related to the problem. Align data and information from the case with the problem that you have identified and using your knowledge of systems concepts, diagram/map the dynamics of the tensions related to the problem that you have identified. You will be using this map to help LTG Johnson establish a foundation for changes that he will need to decide upon. Your systems diagram/map might include any or all of the following:

• Performance gap: Include in your diagram the gap that exists between the current reality and what would be the most desirable state for the Task Force.

• Root Causes: Include a fishbone diagram of causes of the problem. • Interconnectedness: What evidence of interconnectedness is at the Task Force? • Reinforcing processes: What examples of reinforcing processes or potential for

reinforcing process are evident in the case study organization?

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• Causal Loops: Are there examples of, or potential for the use of causal loops in understanding the problem in the Task Force? Create a diagram of these loops.

• System Archetypes: What system archetypes are evident and at work in the case study? • Mental Models: What “ingrained assumptions, generalizations, or even pictures or

images” do you see at work in the case study that will need to be identified and understood as part of a process of preparing a solution or intervention to address the problem of practice?

Part 3: Diagramming and Communication of Existing Data. What Is the Evidence?

The Central Texas University Study includes some data that you will be able to use to support both evidence of a problem and helping the Task Force to map a strategy forward.

• Using excel or some other statistical program, create 4 or 5 descriptive figures and charts to display these data in a manner meaningful to the ATG and the stakeholders.

• Copy those charts and graphs into pdf format for inclusion into this template. • Conduct some basic analysis of these data/charts/graphs and provide a script with your

explanation of trends and projections. • Embed the charts and graphs that you have developed into this template. Remember to

use APA form and style for naming your charts and figures.

Part 4: Data Collection Plan You have identified information and data that are missing or incomplete in Part 1 of this assignment. Complete the following table to identify the additional information and data needed to better advise LTG Johnson. Focus area: For example, resources, perceptions (e.g., of donors, other stakeholders), economic factors, etc. Question: See Part 1: Organization Description and Problem Identification. What questions did you have that could not be answered by existing information or data? Types of Data: Is the data you plan to collect Sources of Data: Once you have completed the table, ask yourself, What questions would be answered by data you plan to collect? Complete Data Collection Template below. Below, include your analysis of the table’s elements.

Focus Area Question Types of Data (Interview? Survey? Trend?)

Sources of Data (Who, What)

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Focus Area Question Types of Data (Interview? Survey? Trend?)

Sources of Data (Who, What)

How would you go about collecting the information you have identified as missing or incomplete?

Part 5: Designing a Way Forward Three options that the president is considering are presented at the conclusion of the case.

• Critique the options for resolving the creative tension experienced by the Central Texas University Taskforce.

• Propose a way forward for the option you identified as keeping with organizational change and systems thinking. (Remember, you may choose to propose an alternative).

• Your advice to them should include a logical progression of leadership actions that would best create a culture for change in the organization. This would include but not be limited to:

o Stakeholder clarification of current reality at all levels. Reference your charts and graphs of existing data.

o Ways in which stakeholders can accept responsibility for the current situation. o Alignment of your preferred option and its outcomes with the Central Texas

University Taskforce mission, vision, and values. Logic Model: Planning for option x

RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT- & LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

IMPACT

To accomplish our set of activities, we will need the following:

To address our problem we will accomplish the following activities:

We expect that, once accomplished, these activities will produce the

We expect that if accomplished these activities will lead to the following

We expect that, if accomplished, these activities will lead to the following

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RESOURCES ACTIVITIES OUTPUTS SHORT- & LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

IMPACT

following evidence or service delivery:

changes in 1–3 then 4–6 years:

changes in 7–10 years:

Conclude with a concise executive summary of your advice for Lieutenant General Bob Johnson and the Central Texas University Taskforce to address the current problem and lead and manage the improvement process. NOTE: Remember to go back now and complete the Introduction to this case study. Restated Problem Statement Has your initial statement of the problem changed? Restate your problem statement and include any changes that you would need to include based upon a better understanding of both the organization and data that you have analyzed. Make a clear single problem statement that is void of causes and/or solutions that have not yet been implemented. Begin this section by completing this sentence: “The problem at the Central Texas University Taskforce is that…”

References