Your task is to write an academic-style report of 3,000 words length (please follow the template below). In this report, you will identify an organisational problem that you are familiar with and you will analyse this problem using steps 1-6 of the 8-Step Problem-Solving Method. In addition, you will discuss how creativity and innovation can be supported in this organisation.
Please use the following template for the academic-style report
Section What to include
- Steps 1 – 2, 680 words
- 1. Define the problem
- 2. Determine goals/objectives
Draw the problem (require Rich picture & Mind map)
Use a mind map to identify the different aspects of the problem
Find information about the problem/situation: Data and research.
Determine who the stakeholders are.
Define priorities based on resources and limitations
Identify indicators of success or monitoring.
Use academic sources to support your research.
Steps 3-4, 680 words
- Generate an array of alternative solutions
- Evaluate the possible consequences of each solution
Use individual brainstorming: Find or adapt different solutions to your problem, use a mind map for this. (Require Mind map for solutions)
Find other solutions by other people, use academic research and examples from printed sources and reputable websites; look for benchmarks, good practice examples.
Discuss pros and cons of each solution
Use academic sources to support your research.
Steps 5-6, 460 words
- Use this analysis to choose one or more courses of action
- Plan the implementation
Prioritise your solutions, choose solutions that you think can work best and present a course of action
Take into account resources, time limits, culture, preferences
Present action plan, with key ideas to implement, resources, potential obstacles.
Present clear instructions.
Present communication strategy.
Present potential backup plans.
Present potential timescale.
Discussion of how creativity and innovation can be enhanced in an organisational context, 940 words Discuss how in this particular organisation generation and implementation of new ideas and novel solutions is handled.
Use academic sources and illustrative examples from printed sources and reputable websites to discuss how creativity and innovation can be supported in this particular organisation.
Assignment presentation The assignment – academic-style report – should be presented with care and attention to detail, paying special attention to syntax, spelling and punctuation.
References should be made to academic literature, printed sources and reputable websites.
References should be cited appropriately in the text of the assignment, and in the list of references (using the Harvard referencing style).
1.5 spacing and 12 size font should be used.
Marking criteria
Identification of creative problem-solving opportunities in an organisational context 20%
Ability to apply the first six steps of the 8-Step Problem-Solving Method 25%
Ability to use relevant academic sources 20%
Critique and evaluation of theory and practice 25%
Presentation, structure, referencing, etc. 10%
NB. The above assessment criteria should be read in conjunction with ‘Level 7 Generic Assessment Criteria and Grading Descriptors’ presented overleaf.
Level 7 Generic Assessment Criteria and Grading Descriptors:
The following are indicative performance descriptors for the various grade bandings. Work identified as belonging to a particular banding on a given criteria will broadly fit that description. However, it is recognised that each descriptor contains a number of sub elements and the student’s work may not exactly fit the description in terms of each sub-element, hence the descriptor is indicative.
Criteria <35 35-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+
Structure, logic and argument Work is unbalanced without introduction and/ or conclusion with no objectives and undeveloped arguments in the context of a level 7 assignment Work lacks balance with a limited attempt to introduce and conclude the work and with objectives which are not clear and arguments that are not well developed in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is balanced with an attempt to introduce and conclude the work but with objectives that may not always be clear and/or well developed arguments in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is balanced with an attempt to introduce and conclude the work and with an attempt to express the objectives and develop arguments appropriate to a level 7 assignment Work is balanced with appropriate introduction and conclusion and with clear objectives and development of arguments appropriate to a level 7 assignment Work is balanced with appropriate and well considered introduction and conclusion and with clear objectives and logical development of arguments appropriate to a level 7 assignment Work is very well balanced with appropriate and well considered introduction and conclusion and with clear objectives and logical development of arguments appropriate to a level 7 assignment
Use of Theory Work includes a limited range of theory introduced in the module which is explained and analysed at a basic level and is not always relevant to the context of the question Work includes a range of theory most of which was introduced in the module and which is explained and analysed but not always directly relevant to the context of the question Work includes a range of theory most of which was introduced in the module and which is adequately, explained analysed and evaluated in the context of the question Work includes a range of theory which extends beyond that introduced in the module and which is adequately explained, critically analysed and evaluated in the context of the question Work includes a wide range of theory which extends beyond that introduced in the module and which is thoroughly and explained, critically analysed, evaluated and synthesised in the context of the question Work includes a wide range of theory which extends beyond that introduced in the module and which is thoroughly and appropriately explained, critically analysed evaluated, synthesised in the context of the question with the development of unique insights Work includes an excellent range of theory which is appropriately selected and which is thoroughly explained, critically analysed evaluated and synthesised in the context of the question with the development of unique insights
Style and presentation Poorly presented with poor written communication in the context of a level 7 assignment Assessment may have poor presentation or be poorly written in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is adequately presented and written communication is reasonable in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is presented appropriately and is written communication is clear in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is nicely presented and is clearly and carefully written in the context of a level 7 assignment The work is well presented and written style is fluent and accurate in the context of a level 7 assignment Work is presented with care and attention to detail and has a fluent and accurate written style in the context of a level 7 assignment
Referencing References are absent A limited number of references are given but these are not appropriately cited in text and within the bibliography and do not use the required conventions References to some of the literature introduced in the module are cited but with some errors in text and within the bibliography though using the required conventions References to a range of the literature, which extends beyond that introduced in the module, are cited with limited errors in text or within the bibliography using the required conventions References to a range of the literature, which extends beyond that introduced in the module, are cited appropriately in text and within the bibliography using the required conventions References to a wide range of literature, which extends beyond that introduced in the module, are given and are cited appropriately in text and within the bibliography using the required conventions References to an extensive range of literature, which extends beyond that introduced in the module, are given and are cited appropriately in text and within the bibliography using the required conventions
The context of a level 7 assessment
- the development of arguments will be sophisticated and justified and linkages between ideas will be made.
- The student will select and justify the range of theory referenced and extensive use will be made of journal articles in addition to text books and websites demonstrating an understanding of the authority the sources used in terms of the academic and professional world.
- the level of analysis will be critical and evaluative and synthesise theory and/or practice will be demonstrated.
- the student’s written style will demonstrate competence and will appropriate academic and professional writing forms will be selected and used.
Sample Solution
