Course Project

Case Study

1. You first need to select a significant topic.

a. Your topic will likely be a problem in your worksite - or an activity you recently left. If you see no problems, then perhaps you need to analyze why your activity runs so smoothly.

b. Above all, this is not a term paper. This is not a discussion about some composite or montague of different organizations. The organization and the situations you describe must be real and set in the correct context. If you need to protect "the guilty", you may change names and locations as long as the situation remains very similar.

c. You topic needs my approval (first come, first served, no duplicates)

2. Then you need to research the specific, current situation sufficiently to ensure you both understand it and can explain it in writing to me.

3. Next you need to analyze the situation from at least three major perspectives (for example, the environment, planning, and leadership). See your text table of contents for other ideas. You may focus as agreed sub-topics within three of the major areas we are studying.

4. It is unlikely you can complete this project well in a paper of less than seven pages. I want a real situation (not fabricated nor a collage of several situations) that you personally have experienced; I want you to share the lessons learned by comparing theory with practice.

See the Schedule and Assignment page for timings.

Use diagrams, graphs, graphics, drawings, tables, etc. and to supplement your commentary. Relate the narrative to the graphics, tables, etc. and vice versa.

I hope this helps explain what I expect from this project. I want it to be personally both useful and fun - so please keep that in mind.

Finally, I want you to say something meaningful and significant in your eyes and mine. There is a theory that a seven page paper is the most difficult to produce and say something significant. Do not turn in a first draft of your report to me. It does justice to neither of us.

Enjoy!