Students will submit a 9-page Leadership Practicum Project Final Paper (follow APA format). The final paper will include the following sections. Each section has several guiding questions to assist in developing a well-derived plan of action.
Select an organizational problem that needs to be changed and can be addressed within a6-week period during this course. The problem should be something unique to the student and within thestudent’s discretion, resources, and purview to address. For example, at the student’s place of employmentthe student may choose to address low staff morale; the lack of up-boarding and training opportunities forpromotions; a high staff turnover rate; lack of diversity in upper management; the need for more health andsafety practices; lack of effective human resource management practices and accountability; bettercommunication between upper and middle management; lack of financial resources; community oppositionto a preferred practice; or any other appropriate topic.
Once the student identifies the specific organizational problem, the student will use Kotter’s 8-Step Processfor Leading Change along with other resources from previous DHA courses to determine a course of actionthat would lead to the desired outcome. Over the next 5-7 weeks, the student will implement therecommended steps, document their process, and analyze the effectiveness of the implemented practices.
PAPER STRUCTURE1. Problem: This section should include a description of the problem that needs to be changed, thedata/observations that were used to identify the problem, why the problem has an impact on theorganization, and why solving the problem can make a significant difference to the organization.After describing the problem, describe how you will (did) Establish a Sense of Urgency (step 1)concerning the problem. What research supports your course of action?
2. Vision & Desired Outcome: This section should describe the strategic vision and desired outcome.The section should also describe the process for selecting the people who will lead theimplementation of the vision. What steps are needed to achieve the vision? Who you will (did)invite and engage to be part of the team that frames the problem and solution(s)? Why would (did)you select these members to be part of the Guiding Coalition (step 2)? How will (did) your teamDevelop the Strategic Vision (step 3) for this work and subsequently Enlist an Army (step 4) tosupport and enact the vision? What research supports your course of action?
3. Barriers to Success: This section should describe any barriers that would inhibit the successfulattainment of the desired outcome. The barriers may be in the form of financial resources, time,talent, organizational processes, status quo concerns, and/or habits, attitudes, and mindsets. Whatdid you identify as Barriers (step 5) that needed to be addressed and removed? Are there anyinherent risks or conflicts that contribute to these barriers? What resources and/or professionaltraining are needed to address some of the barriers? How will (did) you remove those barriers?What research supports your course of action?
4. Recommendations: Short-Term: This section should describe the ongoing and short-termmeasures of success. Immediate wins are critical when leading a change initiative. Whatrecommendations and Short-Term Wins (step 6) will (did) you identify to address the problem?How do you know you achieved your short-term wins? Describe your process for implementation,data collection, and analyses. What research supports your course of action?
5. Recommendations: Long-Term & Sustainability: This section should describe the success ofthe change initiative and how success can be sustained over the long term. What effect will or didthese changes have on the organization and on organizational performance? How will (did) youSustain this Acceleration (step 7) and Institute and Anchor Change (step 8) as a part of the culture?What evaluation tool will you use later (year 2 or 3) to measure the ongoing success of your changeinitiative? What can be learned from the success of other companies or countries that have facedsimilar challenges? What research supports your course of action?