Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

 

Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

IntroductionBackground informationCase assignmentSession long projectObjectives

Case 2

Background

Organizational Development (OD) is a fundamental management subject and important for an MBA degree program. One aspect of Organizational Development is Organizational Diagnosis, which is not as comprehensive as the overall development or change process. Diagnosis is often the first step in the OD process. Over the years, there have been many OD models developed. Some are better than others and some are more useful in certain situations than others. Later models were developed with Open System Theory in mind, which tends to make the models more comprehensive. ABC Company and Whole Foods Market are interested in using an OD model to diagnose Whole Foods Market’s current situation. You will need to have an understanding of some of these models in order to make a recommendation.

Required Reading:

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project.The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; this is optional reading. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms: they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading

National Defense University,Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

There are no reading assignments for the SLP.

However, if you need a refresher on various theories (product life cycle, pricing, price elasticity, market saturation, product development, etc.) there are a multitude of articles on the Internet.

Optional Review Materials

Once again, a small sample of Internet materials that may help you throughout the course can be accessed by clicking here, and can serve as a complement to previous course materials. You are encouraged to supplement this list if you need additional refreshers.

BUS599 – MBA Integrative Project

Module 2 – SLP

Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

IntroductionBackground informationCase assignmentSession long projectObjectives

InModule 2, you will continue with the scenario and simulation you began in the Module 1 SLP.

REQUIRED READING

SCENARIO CONTINUATION:

SLP2 – It’s New Year’s day, 2016. You just had a great New Year’s Eve celebration. You have finished analyzing the performance of Clipboard Tablet Co. in a great report that you turned in a few days early to Sally Smothers. Now you are ready to charge ahead into the future.

As you turn on the TV you notice something strange. The TV commentator is saying something about New Year’s Day, 2012. You look around and everything looks different. Yes, it’s true; it’s New Year’s Day, 2012. Time has rewound – a Time Warp, like the guy in the movie “Groundhog Day.”

You realize that you get to make the decisions for Clipboard Tablet Co. starting with 2012. Perhaps you can do better than Joe Schmoe.

At the beginning of each year (2012-2015), you will determine your pricing, your R&D allocations, and whether or not to discontinue any products. You make your decisions and time advances to the end of that year, and you look at the results to see what happened. You keep track of your decisions and make notes about your reasoning and analysis of the data, keeping the data for later analysis.

You run the Marketing of Clipboard Tablet Co. through the end of 2015. It is now December 31, 2015, New Year’s Eve. What is your total Score? Did you do better than Joe Schmoe?

You decide to organize your notes about your decisions, your analysis, and your reasoning into a report, which you think will help you move ahead into 2016.

ASSIGNMENT

Run the Clipboard Tablet Co. simulation with your strategy, making decisions year by year for prices and R&D allocations. Write a 4- to 6-page paper, not including cover and reference page, in which you:

Write a report that shows your decisions and the results. Discuss why you did better or worse than Joe Schmoe.

KEYS TO THE ASSIGNMENT

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered and taken into account in preparing your paper include:

· As you run the simulation, keep track of your decisions and the results – both financial and marketing. Copy and paste the results into Excel or into a Word document. You can also record the information that you get from the Advisor who discusses the market and compares Clipboard Tablet Co. products to the competition. Make note of the Final Total Score.

· You should include your Final Total Score, some tables, and/or graphs showing some of the results. Be sure to explain the differences clearly, using good logic.

· Remember that the key here is analysis.

· Time Line Summary:

SLP1

· 2015: Hired on December 15.

· Turned in first report to Sally a few days early on December 30.

· Celebrated on December 31.

SLP2

· Time Warp begins: January 1, 2016 warps into January 1, 2012.

· You realize you have to make decisions for 2012 – 2015.

· January 2, 2012 – input decisions for 2012.

· January 2, 2013 – input decisions for 2013.

· January 2, 2014 – input decisions for 2014.

· January 2, 2015 – input decisions for 2015.

· December 31, 2015 – You have gone through all four years, and you write your report to summarize how you did. You are hoping that you will wake up tomorrow and it will be 2016.

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS

Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:

· Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?

· Depth – Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?

· Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?

· Clarity – Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?

· Organization – Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?

· Referencing (citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?

· Application – Are the concepts of the module appropriately applied to the subject?

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

Please note the following tips and suggestions:

· Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 4-6 pages of analysis described above.

· Include headings for all papers greater than two pages (basically all papers), but do not use headings as “space fillers.”

· Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.

Follow TUI Guidelines for well-written papers.

BUS599 – MBA Integrative Project

Module 2 – Case

Case: Organizational Diagnosis, SLP: Time Warp!!

IntroductionBackground informationCase assignmentSession long projectObjectives

BACKGROUND:

XCG

The Excellent Consulting Group

Communication from Art:

Thank you for your report on the strategy analysis of Whole Foods Market. Now, we need to move ahead to the next part of this project.

ABC Company and Whole Foods Market have decided they want to do an Organizational Diagnosis to determine how various aspects of Whole Foods Market are aligned, such as inputs, resources, productivity, throughput effort, outputs, performance, strategy, etc. They want to know if there are any significant issues at Whole Foods Market and how these issues might affect its integration into ABC Company.

REQUIRED READING:

Download and read this white paper by Falletta about OD models. Salvatore Falletta, President and CEO of Leadersphere, has written a white paper that reviews several commonly used models of organizational diagnosis. You will use several of these models in conducting your integrative Case project.The relevant part of this paper in terms of this class is the first 31 pages. The last part of the paper (pp. 32-43) deals with the theoretical foundations of the Burke & Litwin model, Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model; reading that is optional. We are not covering Falletta’s Organizational Intelligence Model.

Falletta, S. V. (2005) Organizational Diagnostic Models: A Review and Synthesis. Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.leadersphere.com/img/OrgmodelsR2009.pdf

Falletta provides an overview of Open Systems Theory (OST) in his paper (pp. 8 & 9). Keep in mind that OST is not an OD model, but rather a basis for most of the later models. For a deeper understanding, go to the following optional reading and read about systems, systems thinking, and organizations as open systems. You will see that businesses are not unlike living organisms:they depend on the environment for sustenance; they comprise multiple, mutually dependent parts; and they affect the environment in the course of their daily activities. Open Systems Theory provides valuable insights into organizations.

Optional Reading

National Defense University,Systems Thinking and Learning Organizations,Retrieved November 7, 2012 from http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ndu/strat-ldr-dm/pt1ch4.html

Review Case Analysis since it is so important in this final course. The purpose of a Case is to show that you have thought critically about the subject matter that you are learning and to make an argument for aClaim about the specific situation in the Case Assignment. Stephen Toulmin has developed an Argument Methodology that is very useful inMaking a Case. To review Case Analysis and Toulmin’s Argument Methodology, go to Making a Case page.

CASE 2 ASSIGNMENT:

There is some disagreement in the Executive ranks as to which OD method or model should be used. Some executives have familiarity with a couple of models, but it seems to be only based on what they have read or heard about. You need to explore some models and determine their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately recommend which one is best for Whole Foods Market. As part of making that determination, you will also need to identify several critical issues facing Whole Foods Market.

The executives want you to include the7S model, the Congruence Model, and the Burke-Litwin Model in your analysis. Pickthree or four more models to include for a well-rounded group of OD models.

Prepare a report in which you include the following:

1. A brief overview of what each of the six or seven models you are analyzing does.

2. Clearly identify the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

3. Identify and discuss two or three issues that Whole Foods Market is facing.

4. Determine which model you think is the best one to use.

5. Recommend which model to use.Make a Strong Case. Explain why your selection would be the best choice, and how the recommended model can be used to help diagnose the issues you have identified.

This should be a 5- to 7-page paper (not including Title Page and References).

ASSIGNMENT EXPECTATIONS

Your paper will be evaluated on the following seven points:

· Precision – Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s)?

· Breadth – Is the full breadth of the subject, that is, the Keys to the Assignment, addressed?

· Depth – Does the paper address the topic in sufficient depth and include the background reading and other background resources as references?

· Critical thinking – Is the subject thought about critically, that is, accurately, logically, relevantly, and precisely?

· Clarity – Is the writing clear and are the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of responding to the questions or are points conveyed through excessive use of quotations?

· Organization – Is the paper well written? Are the grammar, spelling, and vocabulary appropriate for graduate-level work? Are headings included in all papers longer than two pages?

· Referencing (citations and references) – Does the paper include citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are the references from the background reading and assignment present and properly cited? Are all the references listed in the bibliography present and referred to via citation?

TIPS AND SUGGESTIONS

· You may use a simple diagram to highlight important factors. However, do not use the diagram in lieu of valuable analysis (or to take up valuable writing space) – it should be in addition to your 5-7 pages of analysis.

· Just because you have written the minimum five pages does not mean that you have adequately covered the topic. Err on the side of writing more rather than less.

· Choose the data you use carefully. Is it relevant and important?

· Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 5-7 pages of analysis described above.

· Include headings within the paper.

· Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.

· Follow TUI Guidelines for well-written papers.