Question: This Assignment assesses the student's understanding of the theoretical learning to practical, real world situations.

Students should identify a problem situation (only one problem) in an organisation they have access to (preferably an organisation where you work or have worked recently). Do not focus on a problem that has already been solved. Also do not focus on many problems at the same time.

A presentation covering the following points should be prepared:

1. A brief introduction of the organisation (it is acceptable to withhold the name of the organisation).

2. Description of the problem, as much as possible in terms of the observable or measurable symptoms it manifests, for example: increased customer complaints; specific quality concerns; high staff turnover; contracts lost; decreased market share; loss of funding or loss of profit. (Do not conceptualise the problem initially as ‘a leadership problem', ‘a communication problem' etc.).

3. The issue/problem that should then be considered and analysed in terms of material drawn from any two topics studied as part of this subject. To give some examples, your group may choose to apply a model of leadership and use strategic planning concepts to examine your problem, or use models or concepts of motivation and organisational culture, or ethics and organisational design. Try to choose the topic models/concepts that seem to offer the most useful insights into the problem. Do not try to deal with many models or concepts. For example, two models, well applied and showing a good understanding of associated concepts would likely to give optimum results. Topics outside course coverage should not be selected.

4. Design of an intervention (a change program or set of activities and procedures) utilising some aspect or aspects of your analysis. The intervention should be intended to solve or improve the situation. Please note you are not merely being asked for a list of recommendations. If you intend to undertake any research, interviewing, distribution of questionnaires or other activities in your organisation, you must discuss your proposed approach with your lecturer and obtain your lecturer's approval before you do so. Your lecturer will discuss approach with you prior to actual presentation date. You should present your considerations, analysis and intervention design to the class at their scheduled time. The schedule for presenting will be negotiated in class. The presentation should last not more than 15 minutes. You will be penalised for exceeding 15 minutes. An additional 5 minutes is available for class discussion (questions and answers). Support your presentation with appropriate visuals such as computer slides and handouts. A report of 1200 to 1500 words summarising your presentation must be submitted on the due date. Visual material used in the presentation may be included as an appendix if you wish. Your report must have a cover page duly completed and signed, and it has to be fully referenced.

Individual presentation:

Assessment Criteria

5% will be awarded. It will be based on:

• The presence of an appropriate introduction to the organisation;

• The identification and description of a suitable problem for analysis;

• Effective use of material from two subject topics in analysing the problem;

• Depth of analysis of problem;

• Use of analysis in intervention design;

• Apparent efficacy of intervention design;

• Effective presentation of material;

• Utilisation of question/discussion time,

• Time management.