• Apply stakeholder identification and strategic planning process to a specific community issue.

U3 Assignment 1-Community Needs Assessment and Asset/Capacity Building

Annotated Outline for Community Needs Assessment and Asset/Capacity Building Project Selection

For the assignments in this course, you will be planning for a public needs assessment project in your own community.

You will not implement the project, but you will function as if you are the facilitator representing one of the stakeholder groups—private or public—for this project. (This is great practice for your action research dissertation project, as many of the functions here are the same as you will implement in the dissertation. Practicing the planning gets you a step ahead.)

In this assignment, you will provide a preliminary annotated outline to serve as a starting point for the subsequent assignments. While this assignment forms some of the basis or foundation for the final assignment (due in Unit 9), your Unit 7 assignment on the needs-based program intervention strategy will also enhance the final assignment that will be designed to deal with the problem or condition you plan to address. This assignment will provide an initial framework for all other components of the public needs assessment program planning process.

Explain briefly how the above main points link to the course and how course content will be applied in practice.

The following sections or headings represent the types of content that need to be covered in your annotated outline:

Create an annotated outline to serve as the preliminary basis for your final assignment that meets the course outcomes.

In your annotated outline:

Write 1–3 paragraphs for each section of your paper, indicating how you foresee the following main points (in no particular order) for the final assignment may be covered:

• Scope of a specific community problem and how you will ensure such needs-based issue is not too big to be realistic to achieve.

• Description of the problem concept and at which levels of measurement of the needs-based situation can be defined.

• Estimation of the numbers affected (target population).

• Identification of the factors that cause (etiology) the problem.

• Indication of a force field analysis to evaluate the systemic forces that can impede the change efforts.

• Indication of a SWOT analysis or any other appropriate analytic tool to assess the current public needs assessments and A/CB in addressing the complexity of the problems.

• Indication of a strategic planning process to the specific community issue.

• Evaluation of the theories and research methods to be used in public needs assessment processes.

• Indication of a rationale that justifies action and the expenditures of resources.

• Consideration of the stakeholders you would reach out to, to make sure there is good community, organizational, and government participation on the NAC. Determine community needs-based data gathering sources to support the project.

• Indication of a hybrid framework to be used in the public needs assessment and A/CB processes.

• Explain briefly how the above main points link to the course and how course content will be applied in practice.

The following sections or headings represent the types of content that need to be covered in your annotated outline:

• Introduction (all section suggestions assume double spacing with 1-inch margins all around and a standard font size as specified).

• Nature of the problem concept, scope, and measurement levels.

• The target population.

• Rationale for action.

• Hybrid framework for appropriate intervention strategy.

• Summary or conclusion.

• References.

Other Requirements

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

Written communication: Present your annotated outline argument in a clear, logical, and interesting way. As you write this section, keep in mind that this is the first piece those who will make final decisions about whether to approve your needs assessment project proposal will read. Also, remember that this is the beginning of the final assignment for this course, so the good work you do now to create a solid beginning will make your end of the course that much easier.

Resources: 2–3 peer-reviewed resources for each section of your paper. Identify where each supporting reference will be integrated.

APA format: Be sure to format your paper using current APA style and formatting guidelines.

Length of paper: 5-6 pages, excluding the cover page and references list.

Submit your annotated outline as a Word document in the assignment area. Your instructor will provide feedback to you on your paper.

Resources

Community Needs Assessment and Asset/Capacity Building Scoring Guide.

APA Style and Format.

Unit 3 – Synthesis of Needs Assessment and Asset/Capacity Building

INTRODUCTION

Although change can be perceived as inevitable, often there are systemic forces that can impede the efforts of change.  Crucial to the facilitation of the organizational and community change efforts is the synthesis of needs assessment planning issues and asset/capacity building (A/CB). It can thus impact many aspects of the instruments of change components such as stakeholders or change agents, practices, and needs-based data gathering processes. For this, the cooperation and collaboration between needs assessment and A/CB are imperative for the facilitation of positive change.

However, the forces of change threatening the efforts of change must be well assessed to aid in determining the needs based situation or analysis of the problem concept. To do so, a hybrid framework can be created by combining Lewin’s (1951) force field analysis model, SWOT analysis tool, and strategic planning process. The SWOT analysis is an assessment tool used to assess the strength, weakness, opportunity, and threats of the current needs-based situation and A/CB against the future situation.

There are many sources of needs-based data we can use to support an A/CB and public needs assessment process. Thus, what we need depends upon what we are studying in relation to A/CB and public needs assessment process. If our public

problem concept is access to home- and community-based services, we may be gathering data from a number of places.

We may need to determine how many people need this service, paid for under Medicaid. We also need to know how many licensed, and private providers are in the community. And finally, what do the people who need the services actually want?

As a real-life example of this, at one point the Medicaid data was available, but the last complete dataset was almost 2 years old. We could access public providers from licensing databases, but private providers who were small enough not to

require a license were harder to find. And the participants themselves, the public who would be served by this program, had completely different needs. Some less obvious examples include in-home vet services for their pets, home improvement specialists to build ramps or create safe and accessible showers, and laundry services. Clearly, the databases for those services were very different.

The moral to the story is that each problem concept is unique. Who needs what is determined by those who will be served in the project, and the services and providers may have nothing to do with government agencies. That is why we, as public administrators, need to keep our minds open to the various possible solutions to our public’s problems. This unit introduces some methods of performing the initial needs-based data gathering to inform the A/CB and needs assessment projects.

Reference

Lewin, K. (1964). Field theory in social science: Selected theoretical papers. New York, NY: Harper Torchbooks.

Readings

Note: Be certain to read the unit introduction, as it may contain important information and references pertaining to this unit’s content and activities.

Use your Bridging the Gap Between Asset/Capacity Building and Needs Assessment text to complete the following:

Read Chapter 2, “A Synthesis of Needs Assessment and Asset Capacity Building,” pages 25–49.

Read Chapter 3, “Looking Closely at the First Three Critical Steps in the Framework,” pages 51–80.

Use the library to complete the following:

Read Baulcomb’s 2003 article, “Management of Change Through Force Field Analysis,” from Journal of Nursing Management, volume 11, issue 4, pages 275–280.

Read Beagrie’s 2004 article, “How to . . . Conduct a SWOT Analysis,” from Personnel Today, page 21.

Read the 2012 article “SWOT Analysis” from Encyclopedia of Management, page 977–980.

• Explore the logic of SWOT analysis to assess the current public needs assessments and asset/capacity building in addressing complex problems.

Read SWOT Analysis to learn more about how to begin this process of assessing the systemic forces that can impede the facilitation of the organizational and community needs-based change efforts.

Read SWOT Analysis and Organization Summary to complete the interactive. This will help you in assessing the systemic forces that can impede the facilitation of the organizational and community needs-based change efforts.

• Determine and compare sources of needs-based data gathering methods for reliability, consistency, and effectiveness in support of the needs assessment project.

Article Search

In preparation for this unit’s discussion, SEE THE ATTACHED three peer-reviewed articles on needs assessment.

Unit II Essay

In this assignment, you will refer back to the three handouts indicated below and answer the questions associated with them. You will find these handouts linked within the Unit II Study Guide. Both items listed below will be responded to within the same document which you will then submit. The response to each item will consist of at least 200 words each, and any sources used, including your textbook, should be cited and referenced properly at the end of your responses using APA formatting. It is not necessary to copy the items below into your document; however, please compose essays that include a clear introduction, body, and conclusion:

1. After reading “What Constitutes the Corpus Delecti of an Offense,” please answer the following questions. How can the corpus delecti of robbery be demonstrated? Of theft? Why did the court conclude that, “In this case, the evidence does not conclusively establish that Hoke’s purse was taken forcibly from her. The evidence does, however, support an inference that she was robbed”?

2. After reading “For Purposes of Criminal Attempt…,” please answer the following questions. Do you agree that the girls had taken a substantial step toward the commission of a targeted offense? What test does the court establish for Tennessee to determine whether a substantial step has been taken? Would your answer be different if Tennessee used the last-step test or the physical proximity test? If so, how? Do you think that the court, in using common law rules of construction, modifies the legislative enactment? Is the court using its judgment to replace that of the drafters of the statute? Explain your answer.

3. After reading, “Can a Private Corporation be held Liable…,” please answer the following questions. In this case, McIlwain School Bus Lines, Inc. argued that the offense of homicide by vehicle could not be committed by a corporation. On what grounds did the corporation base its arguments? Why did the court conclude that a corporation was a “person” for purposes of the law? How was such a conclusion reached? What are the potential legal ramifications of granting the status of “person” to a corporation?

1. Avon Products or GE Money America Case Study
   Instructions
   From the Best Practices in Talent Management textbook, select either the Avon Products (Chapter 1) or GE Money Americas (Chapter 6) case study for this assignment.
   Write a 5–7 page paper in which you:
   1. Provide a brief description of the status of the company that led to its determination that a change was necessary.
   2. Identify the model for change theory typified in the case study of your choice. Discuss what led you to identify the model that you did.
   3. Illustrate the types of evaluation information that were collected and how they are used to benefit the company.
   4. Speculate about the success of the changes within the next five years and how adjustments could be made if the results become less than ideal.
   5. Use at least five quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other websites do not quality as academic resources.
   6. This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
      The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:
   • Propose how to improve recent changes to talent management processes, based on previous analysis.

Step 1:  Research

In completing the report, students will use the chapters in the eBook as a guide and perform research on the company from Assignment 1, answer the required elements below in narrative form following the steps.

Library Resources

You will be using scholarly material and Mergent Online to research privately held companies.  On the main navigation bar in the classroom select, Resources and then select Library.  Select Databases by Title (A – Z).  Select M from the alphabet list, and then select Mergent Online.  

UMUC library is available for providing resources and services. Seek library support for excellence in your academic pursuit.  

Library Support

Extensive library resources and services are available online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at https://www.umuc.edu/library/index.cfm to support you in your studies.  The UMUC Library provides research assistance in creating search strategies, selecting relevant databases, and evaluating and citing resources in a variety of formats via its Ask a Librarian service at https://www.umuc.edu/library/libask/index.cfm.

Step 2:  Company Selection

The companies used in Assignment 1 are below.  Students will use the same company to complete this project as they did in Project 1.  Students who fail to use the companies on the list or use an unapproved company will receive a zero for the assignment.

• Ball Corporation [NYSE: BLL]- My company from week 1( use this company)
• Michael Kors Corporation [NYSE:  KORS]
• National Beverage Corporation [NASDAQ:  FIZZ]
• YUM China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC)

Step 3: Preparation for the Assignment

Before you begin writing the report, you will read the following requirements that will help you meet the writing and APA requirements. 

• You will be doing an analysis on the selected company.  When doing an analysis you are not merely making statements that may be cited.  Instead, you will be supporting the statements made.  “Support” is the process of explaining, discussing and analyzing “why” and “how,” which is a higher level critical analytical skill that is required.  Support is needed to do well on this project.
•  Read the grading rubric for the assignment.  Use the grading rubric while writing the report to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade.

Step 4:  Introduction

Create an introductory paragraph.  The Introduction should clearly and concisely convey the main points of the assignment’s requirements.

Step 5:  How to Set Up the Report (Ensure these are followed)

Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document using 12-point font.  The final product cannot be longer than 16 pages in length, which includes all tables and matrices but excludes the title page and reference page.  Those items identified in the technical analysis should appear under the appropriate heading in the paper.  Do no use an Appendix.

 Follow the following format using these topics as headings:

• Title page with title, your name, the course number, the instructor’s name;
• Company Background/Information
• Internal Environmental Analysis
• Strategic Analysis & Strategy Selection
• Reference page

Step 5:  Required Elements for the Report

Under the appropriate heading listed above, include the following:  

• Background analysis including vision and mission statements and objectives
• Internal Environmental Analysis
• Corporate Level Strategy
• Business Unit Level Strategy
• Functional Level Strategy
  • Explain how these strategies align with the company’s vision and mission statements;
  • Assess the company’s interactions with its stakeholders, the organizational structure, the organizational culture, and communication/decision making among managers within human resources, marketing production, operations, finance and accounting, R&D, and computer information systems, which can be accomplished by viewing the company’s website, interviews, and surveys.
• Financial analysis for the last reported fiscal year 

Use the company’s income statement and balance sheet to calculate no less than a total of ten (10) key financial ratios to the business.  There must be a mix of four different key categories inclusive of the leverage, liquidity, profitability, and efficiency ratios so that the ratios do not all come from the same category. The specific ratios selection must come from the following categories.

• Leverage Ratios (Long term debt ratio, Total debt ratio, Debt-to-equity ratio, Times interest earned ratio, and Cash coverage ratio).
• Liquidity Ratios (Net working capital to total assets ratio, current ratio, quick ratio, and cash ratio)
• Efficiency Ratios (Asset turnover ratio, Average collection period, Inventory turnover ratio, and Days sales outstanding)
• Profitability Ratios (Net profit margin, Return on assets, and Return on equity) 
• Technique Analysis
•  Develop and explain an IFE, BCG matrix, Grand Strategy Matrix, and QSPM.  The expectation is not to copy from the Internet but to develop one’s own.  If copied from the Internet, a zero will be assigned. The various tools are to appear in the appropriate area of the paper and not in one section of the paper.  When placing any table or figure in a table, it must be explained in detail.
• Strategy Analysis
• Identify and explain company strengths and weaknesses. Discuss success factors and what the company must do to perform successfully in the industry?  Discuss what strategies would allow the company to capitalize on its major strengths.  Discuss strategies that would allow the company to improve upon its major weaknesses
• Alternative Strategies
• Generate a minimum of three possible alternative strategies for the company;
  • Identify and discuss cultural factors that should be considered in analyzing and choosing among the alternative strategies;
• Prioritize and explain the selection of alternative strategies
• Recommendation
• Recommend the best one or two strategies among the alternative strategies and explain why these strategies are the best; 

Step 6:  Report Requirements to Follow

In writing the report,

• Use the grading rubric while completing the project to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade. 
• Third person writing is required.  Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing).  
• Contractions are not used in business writing, so do not use them. 
• No direct quotes except for mission statement and vision statement.  For all other source material used in the analysis, you will not use direct quotation marks but will instead paraphrase.  What this means is that you will put the ideas of an author or article into your own words rather than lifting directly from a source document.  You may not use more than four consecutive words from a source document, as doing so would require direct quotation marks.  Changing words from a passage does not exclude the passage from having quotation marks. 
• Use in-text citations and provide a reference list that contains the reference associated with each in-text citation.
• You may not use books in completing this project.
• Provide the page or paragraph number in every in-text citation presented. 

DEADLINE: NEED THIS DONE BY FRIDAY JUNE 29.

Operations Design

Henry Ford’s assembly line was a stepping stone for the pivotal lean supply chain strategies invented by Toyota. Sam Walton’s focus on low prices set the stage for the bulk purchasing practices many retailers employ today. And of course, it was Amazon’s logistics expertise that helped it begin today’s consumer-driven retail apocalypse. In this discussion, you will have the opportunity to assess how such innovations advance the field of operations management and the impact they have on jobs, consumers, and the economy.For this discussion, first read New Goals for Advanced, Flexible Manufacturing (Link: https://corporate.ford.com/articles/history/moving-assembly-line.html), 

 and then watch Why Are There Still So Many Jobs? (18:51).

 (Link: https://youtu.be/LCxcnUrokJo)

Then address the following in your initial post: 

• Choose a specific innovation (e.g., assembly line, JIT, interchangeable parts) that you believe is the most important innovation to have advanced the field of operations management
• Explain why you believe this is the most important innovation to have advanced the field of operations management 
• Make sure that you thoroughly describe how that innovation has advanced the field of operations management and how it has affected jobs, consumers, and the economy

Respond to at least two of your peers by respectfully critiquing and debating their positions, supporting your statements. Share whether you find their arguments convincing, explain why or why not, and ask any questions that their post has raised for you. To successfully complete this assignment, view the Discussion Rubric document.