The following elements should be demonstrated in this assignment:

• Timely information technology policy and strategy issue
• Clear information technology policy and strategy needs and interest of targeted department
• Logical progress and trends related to the issue
• Clear impact of issue on workplace
• Topically related leadership and innovation issues
• Appropriate instruments used to collect information

QUESTIONS FOR PROBLEM-SOLVING PROPOSALS

Definition of a Problem: A situation, issue, policy, or practice this is difficult and perplexing but can be improved or solved.

• What is a current situation, policy, practice that you see as a problem?

• How do you know the current situation, practice, or policy is not beneficial ?

• Can it be improved, changed, eliminated? How do you know?

BACKGROUND

Extent: Who/what does the problem hurt? In what way? When? For how long? With what results?

• Evidence that negative results are caused by this problem?

Origin: When did the problem start?

• Evidence of its origin?

Causes: What are some of the causes of the problem?

• Evidence that these are the causes?
• Evidence that these are the only or even chief causes?

Attempts at Solutions: Has anyone before tried to solve this problem here or elsewhere? When? How? With what effect?

• Lessons learned from past attempts?
• Lessons learned from solutions to similar problems?

STATEMENT OF NEED

• What is your proposed solution?
• Why did you choose it over alternative solutions?
• If your solution is accepted, what benefits will be gained. By whom? How soon?

PLAN OF ACTION

• What steps need to be taken to get ready to start putting your proposed solution into effect?

• What people need to be involved in planning the implementation of the solution?

• What steps need to be taken to implement your solution?

• What materials/equipment will be needed to accomplish each step?

• What facilities (space, utilities) will be needed at each step? How will they be used? For how long?

• What people will need to be involved at each step of the implementation? What will they need to know and do? For how long?

BUDGET

• How much will it cost for the people needed? How do you arrive at the total?

• How much will it cost for the materials/equipment? How do you arrive at the total?

• How much will it cost for facilities? How do you arrive at the total?

• What other direct costs will there be? How do you know?

• What are indirect costs (time lost by personnel; health benefits; insurance for equipment; unexpected delays)?

• What will be the total cost? How do you arrive at the total?

• How will this proposal be funded? Direct sources? Indirect sources? Evidence for availability of the needed funds?

SCHEDULE

• How long would it take to plan to start implementing the proposed solution?

• How did you arrive at this answer?

• How long will it take to have the proposed solution approved?

• How did you arrive at this answer?

EVALUATION

• What method of monitoring progress will you use?

• What method of evaluation of success/failure will you use?

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

• What are the reasons in favor of implementation (summarized)?

• What is the group’s recommendation?

ILLUSTRATIONS

• Most helpful choices?

• Correct label, title, and arrangement?

• Introduced and interpreted in text?

APA MATTER

References: (APA formatted)APA Citation Style.htm (control+click to follow link)

Appendix (es)

ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN

Title Page

Table of Contents

Abstract

Introduction

• States the problem
• Recommends the solution
• Presents scope and plan of report

Background

• History
• Documentation of the problem’s significance

Statement of Need

• Summary of proposed solution
• Goals and objective of proposed solution

Evidence

• Empirical Data
• Secondary Data

Plan of Action

• What do you plan to do
• How do you plan to do it
• Personnel
• Facilities
• Equipment
• Other

Budget

• Materials
• Support services
• Labor
• Other

Funding

• Direct Costs
• Indirect Costs
• Matching Funds
• Contributions
• Fringe Benefits
• Grants
• Other

Schedule

• Planning
• Implementation
• Evaluation

Evaluation

• Accomplishment of objectives
• Monitoring progress

Conclusions/Recommendations