Step 1: Introduction to the Change Analysis

For this assignment, select an experience you had in an organization in which a significant change or innovation occurred. It does not matter if the change was successful in achieving the intended goals or if the organization stuck with the change or reverted to the previous way of doing things. The change can be a change that has happened at the University or one of its departments or student organizations. It can also be a change that has taken place in your workplace or at a volunteer or religious organization, or at a previous school.

Step 2: Identify Sources for Concepts:

The change you write about should be a change that was quite memorable to you in positive or negative ways (or even a bit of both). It could be a change in leadership, technology, procedures, personnel, or whatever. Consider the types of changes discussed in the following: Chapters 7 & 8—Leadership or Supervisor/Coach/Manager/Leader.

Although we have not covered Chapter 14—Communication During Career and Organizational Transitions and Ch. 15—Communication during Organizational Exit, you may use those chapters, too.

Important: You should use citations from your text accurately/correctly. When you do use concepts, define them and support them with an example to support your statement/claim.

Step 3: Change Analysis

For the analysis, you are to specifically write at least 3 body paragraphs on the topics from the chapters (7 and 8) as applicable. You may also want to refer to Chapters 14-15. This will vary depending on the particular type of change about which you choose to write. I expect your paper will cover some of the following topics. You may also include ideas from other chapters in the text, such as culture, leadership, conflict, power, or decision making, if applicable.

Step 4: Grading Components

The topics of the papers should include many (but not necessarily all) of the following, although the organization of the paper may vary:

1. Some background on the organization and some background about how things were in the organization prior to the change ( /5 pts)
2. Discussion of the nature of the type of change (See, for example, pp. 343) ( /5 pts.)
3. Discussion of why the change occurred—perhaps something external or perhaps someone internal promoted the change (Consider systems theory, pp. 341-342).
4. ( /5 points)
5. The large part of the paper should be concerning the reaction to change (pp. 344-348) ( /20 points)

1. The other large part of the paper should be a discussion of whether communication surrounding the change was effective or not (pp. 349-352). This could relate to whether you thought the change was successful or not, or whether the organization reverted to the old way of doing things after a while. ( /10 points)

1. Finally, draw some overall conclusions about the change process as successful or unsuccessful. This conclusion should sound like a thesis. ( /5 pts)

Step 5: General Expectations for the Paper, also known as General Guidelines (Up to -10% of the points):

1. Length should be (hopefully) no more than 2 -2.5 pages of text, single spaced); use 1-inch margins and 12-pt. Times New Roman font.

1. Include an introduction, thesis statement, minimum 3-part body, and conclusion.

1. Accuracy of writing, style, etc., is expected. Papers should be free from typos, spelling, and grammatical errors.