Final Writing Assignment
You have the option of choosing one (1) of the following writing assignments that you think are most interesting to you. Both options prompt you to integrate concepts you have learned throughout the course and apply them to a real-life organizational dilemma.
Writing Tips
- Paper is due by end of day Tuesday, March 1. No late assignments will be accepted after Tuesday, March 1.
- Please refer to the syllabus for writing assignment requirements.
- Please see the “Writing Resources” and “Grading Rubrics” links on the left-hand side of your menu for guidance.
- As you write your paper, build upon the theories we have studied in the course to date, with a particular focus on the readings for this week Refer to specific theories, concepts, or principles from the text.
- As stated in the syllabus, you should cite three references (formal citations) from the assigned course readings in each of your written assignment papers, but ideally (and in order to earn an “A”) also reference additional scholarly or professional resources.
- Please remember that the goal of each course assignment is to demonstrate your understanding of and ability to apply the course concepts.
- Please keep a copy of your paper and double-check that it has been submitted correctly before the assignment deadline.
Option 1 The Department of Veterans Affairs
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care for military veterans through a network of medical centers and clinics. In late 2013 and early 2014, employees of the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center in Phoenix began to raise concerns internally about the quality of care, patient wait times, and data management. With seemingly little response, concerned employees turned to the VA Office of Inspector General, the office of Senator John McCain, and reporters at The Arizona Republic. By May of 2014, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki faced calls for his resignation by veterans groups. Internal audits and Congressional investigations ensued and Shinseki resigned in the face of mounting political pressure. On July 23, 2014, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee confirmed the appointment of Robert McDonald as the new Secretary of the Veterans Administration. You can see a summary of these events at the following link: Timeline: The road to VA wait-time scandal March 12, 2015, The Arizona Republic.
Content Tips
- If you choose this option, write a memo to then VA Secretary Robert McDonald offering guidance about how to address the problems within the VA medical system. Your memo should be approximately five pages in length (double-spaced).
- You may use just the information in the article above for this writing assignment, or you may also do additional research if you are interested. There are a lot of details available, including reports and news articles, which may prove helpful if you decide to undertake additional research. However, try to be mindful that a complete reporting of the details is much less important than your analysis of the situation and application of course concepts.
- The following may offer a way of organizing your analysis:
- What are the most significant risks and problems the Secretary of Veterans Affairs faces in the continued operation of the VA medical system? (You might find it helpful to consider the key stakeholders and sources of authority in the Department of Veterans Affairs external environment, as well as doctors, nurses, and staff working within the medical system).
- What changes do you believe are necessary in order to improve the operations and reputation of the organization? Again, this is a complex situation and you arent expected to have full knowledge of all the details. Describe general principles or concepts from the course that can help Secretary McDonald analyze the situation, as well as specific actions he might take. (Perhaps consider concepts related to the external environment, organizational structure and design, approaches to motivating workers and creating incentives, and how changes in these areas might help shore up external support).
- What do you see as the most important principles for successful change and transformation within the VA medical system? (Perhaps consider concepts related to overcoming resistance to change, resolving conflict, and attributes of effective, high-performing organizations).
- Describe at least two lessons you learned from this issue that build upon concepts from this course.
Option 2 – Whats Behind Declining Customer Service at the IRS?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects taxes on behalf of the federal government. In 2015, the agency faced significant cutbacks in funding from Congress. These cutbacks resulted in significant staff reductions, eliminated training for individual agents, and delayed needed technology upgrades. Some field offices were closed entirely. The cutbacks made it difficult for taxpayers to reach the IRS either by phone or in-person in order to ask questions or resolve issues during the 2015 filing season. Commissioner John Koskinen, who was appointed to lead the agency in December 2013, faced criticism in the media, as well as from taxpayers and members of Congress. On April 9, 2015, National Public Radio (NPR) talk show host Diane Rehm dedicated an hour-long program to the declining customer service at the IRS. Her show presents an interesting set of perspectives about the challenges facing IRS Commissioner Koskinen. If you decide to choose this option for your final paper, you may listen to the show at the following website: Whats Behind Declining Customer Service at the IRS (Audio recording of the program). Alternatively, you may download this Word Document, which is a transcript of the show. (If you decide to use a direct quote, you may quote the page number in the Word document). Diane Rehm Show – What’s Behind Declining Service at the IRS.docx Diane Rehm Show – What’s Behind Declining Service at the IRS.docx – Alternative Formats (Transcript of the program)
Content Tips
- If you choose this option, write a memo to the Commissioner of the IRS, John Koskinen, offering guidance about how to address the problems at the IRS. Your memo should be approximately five pages in length (double-spaced).
- You may use just the information in the article above for this writing assignment, or you may also do additional research if you are interested. There are a lot of details available, including reports and news articles, which may prove helpful if you decide to undertake additional research. However, try to be mindful that a complete reporting of the details is much less important than your analysis of the situation and application of course concepts.
- The following may offer a way of organizing your analysis:
- What are the most significant risks and problems the Commissioner faces in addressing the problems within the Internal Revenue Service? (You might find it helpful to consider the key stakeholders and sources of authority in the agencys external environment, as well as the IRS agents and staff within the organization).
- What changes do you believe are necessary in order to improve the operations and reputation of the organization? Again, this is a complex situation and you are not expected to have full knowledge of all the details. Describe, generally, principles or concepts from the course that can help Commissioner Koskinen analyze the situation, as well as specific actions he might take. (Perhaps consider concepts related to the external environment, organizational structure and design, approaches to motivating workers and creating incentives, and how changes in these areas might help shore up external support).
- What do you see as the most important principles for successful change and transformation within the IRS? (Perhaps consider concepts related to overcoming resistance to change, resolving conflict, and attributes of effective, high-performing organizations).
- Describe at least two lessons learned from this case study that builds upon concepts from this course.
Reference for the textbook:
Rainey, H. G. (2014). Understanding and managing public organizations (5th ed.). SanFrancisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
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