PUA 5307, Strategic Planning Course Syllabus
Course Description The purpose of this course is to provide students with an in-depth examination of strategic planning in the public and nonprofit sectors. The course will highlight how the lack of strategic planning has negatively impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of public and nonprofit agencies historically. In addition, the course will present real-world applicable strategies and techniques that can empower public and nonprofit agencies to craft strategic plans that will help ensure their health and success during an era of cutback management, reduced budgets and revenues, and increased citizen and stakeholder demand.
Course Textbook Bryson, J. M. (2011). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement (4th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Course Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students should be able to: 1. Discuss the role of strategic planning decision making process in public and nonprofit organizations. 2. Evaluate how the absence of strategic planning has a negative impact on public and nonprofit agency servicedelivery capabilities. 3. Assess the relationship of the theories of strategic planning and determine the applicability of the theory to realworld problems and challenges facing public sector organizations. 4. Compare and contrast strategic planning in the private and public/nonprofit sectors. 5. Conduct a SWOT analysis to help clarify agency mission and goals. 6. Infer the importance of strategic planning to the core functions of public sector organizations including impact on budgeting, human resource management, and managerial leadership. 7. Discuss how to overcome barriers to strategic planning related to institutional and structural problems. 8. Compile an actual strategic plan for a public sector organization in which the student works or has familiarity. 9. Develop the public agency problem topic for your final project and work in the MPA Seminar.
Credits Upon completion of this course, the students will earn three (3) hours of college credit.
Course Structure 1. Unit Learning Outcomes: Each unit contains Learning Outcomes that specify the measurable skills and knowledge students should gain upon completion of the unit. 2. Unit Lesson: Each unit contains a Unit Lesson, which discusses unit material. 3. Reading Assignments: Each unit contains Reading Assignments from one or more chapters from the textbook. Suggested Readings are provided in Unit I, III -VII study guides to aid students in their course of study. The readings themselves are not provided in the course, but students are encouraged to read the resources listed if the opportunity arises as they have valuable information that expands upon the lesson material. 4. Key Terms: Key Terms are intended to guide students in their course of study. Students should pay particular attention to Key Terms as they represent important concepts within the unit material and reading. 5. Unit Assignments: Students are required to submit for grading Unit Assignments in Units I-VIII. Specific information and instructions regarding these assignments are provided below. Grading rubrics are included with the Unit I-VIII Assignments. Specific information about accessing these rubrics is provided below. PUA 5307, Strategic Planning
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6. Ask the Professor: This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content related questions. 7. Student Break Room: This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates.
CSU Online Library The CSU Online Library is available to support your courses and programs. The online library includes databases, journals, e-books, and research guides. These resources are always accessible and can be reached through the library webpage. To access the library, log into the myCSU Student Portal, and click on “CSU Online Library.” You can also access the CSU Online Library from the “My Library” button on the course menu for each course in Blackboard. The CSU Online Library offers several reference services. E-mail (
[email protected]) and telephone (1.877.268.8046) assistance is available Monday – Thursday from 8 am to 5 pm and Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. The library’s chat reference service, Ask a Librarian, is available 24/7; look for the chat box on the online library page. Librarians can help you develop your research plan or assist you in finding relevant, appropriate, and timely information. Reference requests can include customized keyword search strategies, links to articles, database help, and other services.
Unit Assignments Unit I, III, and VI Article Critiques Your task is to offer a detailed critique of a peer-reviewed article you locate in the CSU Online Library. The article must be related, somehow, to one or two of the primary topics introduced and discussed in your assigned reading for this unit. In your critique, address the following questions or points:
What are the main points and arguments of the author(s)? What is your opinion of the article? How does the article relate to your experience or current job in the public or nonprofit sector? How can the points and arguments of the author(s) be applied to the public sector in a practical sense?
The critique should be roughly 500 words in length (approximately two double-spaced pages), with Times New Roman 12 pt. font, and have appropriate APA style writing. Be sure to cite all borrowed, quoted, and paraphrased material appropriately in APA format. Your focus of this assignment is to collect your thoughts and opinions on the topic and relate them in an intelligent, critical fashion (the second and third bullet above). Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for these assignment is provided below. Unit II PowerPoint Presentation Your task is to create an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation applying no fewer than five of the ten steps of Bryson’s strategic planning process described in Chapter 2 of the textbook, to the organization for which you work or a public/nonprofit organization with which you are familiar. You must bolster your contentions with a minimum of three peerreviewed journal articles from the CSU Online Library. Be creative, but be realistic. Apply those steps or stages that have the most relevance to your chosen organization. You should structure your presentation as if given to your supervisor and/or board. When creating the presentation, craft it in a “business professional” manner with appropriate text proportions, consistent and professional font, and appropriate images to present your information. While some features of PowerPoint may be better at catching attention, it may not be suitable for presenting professional information and driving home your point. Your presentation should be written in APA style writing with appropriate citations. Include a references slide at the end of your presentation for your resources. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
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Unit IV Final Project Proposal The Final Project for this course involves writing an actual strategic plan, either for the public/nonprofit agency in which you are currently employed, or one with which you are very familiar. This exercise is a preliminary assignment for the Final Project. Here, your task is to offer a one and a half -to two-page proposal for your Final Project, detailing your chosen agency including:
brief description, mission, stakeholders, number of employees, budget, major and minor challenges, and organizational culture.
Then, you must also provide a preliminary list of no fewer than five peer-reviewed journal articles that you will use in your Final Project. Ultimately, your Final Project is a real-world diagnosis and change strategy for your public agency, supported by the prevailing literature on the subject. The paper should be double spaced, use Times New Roman, 12 pt. font with APA style writing and appropriate citations. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit V PowerPoint Presentation Agencies must think and act strategically with regard to long-term growth, especially with regard to human resource management and personnel administration. New employees must be added based upon the agency’s needs and strategic plan to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Your task is to offer an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation detailing how your agency (or a public/nonprofit agency with which you are familiar) should proceed, strategically, in the long-run with regard to personnel administration. Imagine you are a Human Resources Director and your supervisor has asked you to offer a plan for adding employees over a 10 year period. You must support your conclusions and recommendations with no fewer than three peer-reviewed journal articles. When creating the presentation, craft it in a “business professional” manner with appropriate text proportions, consistent and professional font, and appropriate images to present your information. While some features of PowerPoint may be better at catching attention, it may not be suitable for presenting professional information and driving home your point. Your presentation should be written in APA style writing with appropriate citations. Include a references slide at the end of your presentation for your resources. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VII PowerPoint Presentation You are the budget and finance director for your agency or a public/nonprofit agency with which you are familiar. Your supervisor has asked you to craft a presentation recommending strategic cuts to your agency based upon past and future budget reductions. You must prepare an 8-10 slide PowerPoint presentation presenting your findings and recommendations. The cuts do not need to be sweeping, but should rather be strategic and realistic, and based upon future collaborative initiatives. Concentrate on how “strategic leadership” will guide your organization through this process, relying on examples and information from Chapter 11 of the textbook. That is, what roles can leaders in the organization play to make these cuts more palatable to the entire organization? Be sure to support your recommendations with no fewer than three peer-reviewed journal articles. When creating the presentation, craft it in a “business professional” manner with appropriate text proportions, consistent and professional font, and appropriate images to present your information. While some features of PowerPoint may be better at catching attention, it may not be suitable for presenting professional information and driving home your point.
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Your presentation should be written in APA style writing with appropriate citations. Include a references slide at the end of your presentation for your resources. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below. Unit VIII Final Project Your goal is to provide a realistic, actionable strategic plan for your agency or a public/nonprofit agency with which you are familiar. Your paper should be grounded in the theories and ideas presented in class and in the textbook. As such, your plan should integrate, and be supported by, no fewer than five (5) peer-reviewed journal articles which support your points, arguments, and assertions.. The strategic plan must include (but is not limited to) the following sections:
introduction to your agency with an overview and description (approximately two (2) pages in length), o Describe the purpose, structure, and functioning of the chosen public organization. areas/departments that most need strategic change (approximately two (2) – three (3) pages in length), o This section will detail a plan that concentrates on the units and functions that most need change facilitated and fostered by the strategic planning process. Pay particular attention to such functions as human resources/ personnel management, budgeting and financial management, and organizational leadership. strategic recommendations (most important; should comprise the majority of the paper, approximately three (3) to five (5) pages in length). o Summarize various strategic planning techniques and strategies applicable to the agency. o Describe how various strategic planning techniques could be best implemented within the agency. o Assess and infer how the implementation of strategic plans and strategic decisions involves many internal and external variables. o The strategic plan must include applicable, actionable strategic change recommendations for the chosen agency. o The plans must be measurable and implementable, as well as realistic. conclusion (approximately one (1) page in length) o Close with in-depth remarks about the future of the organization based upon your assessment and recommendations.
Your paper should be between eight (8) and ten (10) pages in length. The paper must include a Title page, Abstract, and Reference page, in addition to the four other required sections. The Title page, Abstract, and Reference page do not count towards the minimum page requirement. Information about accessing the Blackboard Grading Rubric for this assignment is provided below.
APA Guidelines The application of the APA writing style shall be practical, functional, and appropriate to each academic level, with the primary purpose being the documentation (citation) of sources. CSU requires that students use APA style for certain papers and projects. Students should always carefully read and follow assignment directions and review the associated grading rubric when available. Students can find CSU’s Citation Guide by clicking here. This document includes examples and sample papers and provides information on how to contact the CSU Success Center.
Grading Rubrics This course utilizes analytic grading rubrics as tools for your professor in assigning grades for all learning activities. Each rubric serves as a guide that communicates the expectations of the learning activity and describes the criteria for each level of achievement. In addition, a rubric is a reference tool that lists evaluation criteria and can help you organize your efforts to meet the requirements of that learning activity. It is imperative for you to familiarize yourself with these rubrics because these are the primary tools your professor uses for assessing learning activities. Rubric categories include: (1) Journal, (2) Assessment (Written Response), and (3) Assignment. However, it is possible that not all of the listed rubric types will be used in a single course (e.g., some courses may not have Assessments). The Journal rubric can be found within Unit I’s Journal submission instructions.
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The Assessment (Written Response) rubric can be found embedded in a link within the directions for each Unit Assessment. However, these rubrics will only be used when written-response questions appear within the Assessment. Each Assignment type (e.g., article critique, case study, research paper) will have its own rubric. The Assignment rubrics are built into Blackboard, allowing students to review them prior to beginning the Assignment and again once the Assignment has been scored. This rubric can be accessed via the Assignment link located within the unit where it is to be submitted. Students may also access the rubric through the course menu by selecting “Tools” and then “My Grades.” Again, it is vitally important for you to become familiar with these rubrics because their application to your Journals, Assessments, and Assignments is the method by which your instructor assigns all grades.
Communication Forums These are non-graded discussion forums that allow you to communicate with your professor and other students. Participation in these discussion forums is encouraged, but not required. You can access these forums with the buttons in the Course Menu. Instructions for subscribing/unsubscribing to these forums are provided below. Once you have completed Unit VIII, you MUST unsubscribe from the forum; otherwise, you will continue to receive e-mail updates from the forum. You will not be able to unsubscribe after your course end date. Click here for instructions on how to subscribe/unsubscribe and post to the Communication Forums. Ask the Professor This communication forum provides you with an opportunity to ask your professor general or course content questions. Questions may focus on Blackboard locations of online course components, textbook or course content elaboration, additional guidance on assessment requirements, or general advice from other students. Questions that are specific in nature, such as inquiries regarding assessment/assignment grades or personal accommodation requests, are NOT to be posted on this forum. If you have questions, comments, or concerns of a nonpublic nature, please feel free to email your professor. Responses to your post will be addressed or emailed by the professor within 48 hours. Before posting, please ensure that you have read all relevant course documentation, including the syllabus, assessment/assignment instructions, faculty feedback, and other important information. Student Break Room This communication forum allows for casual conversation with your classmates. Communication on this forum should always maintain a standard of appropriateness and respect for your fellow classmates. This forum should NOT be used to share assessment answers.
Grading Article Critiques (3 @ 5%) PowerPoint Presentations (3 @ 5%) Unit IV Final Project Proposal Unit VIII Final Project Total
= 15% = 15% = 5% = 65% = 100%
Course Schedule/Checklist (PLEASE PRINT) The following pages contain a printable Course Schedule to assist you through this course. By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted.
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PUA 5307, Strategic Planning
Course Schedule
By following this schedule, you will be assured that you will complete the course within the time allotted. Please keep this schedule for reference as you progress through your course.
Unit I
The Importance of Strategic Planning
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 1: Why Strategic Planning Is More Important Than Ever Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Article Critique
Unit II
The Strategic Planning Cycle
Review:
Unit Study Guide
Read:
Required Reading: See Study Guide
Submit: PowerPoint Presentation Notes/Goals:
Unit III
Clarifying the Organizational Mission and Initiating the Strategic Planning Process
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 3: Initiating and Agreeing on a Strategic Planning Process Chapter 4: Clarifying Organizational Mandates and Mission Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Article Critique
Unit IV
Organizational Environment Assessment and Strategic Issue Identification
Review:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 5: Assessing the Environment to Identify Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Challenges Chapter 6: Identifying Strategic Issues Facing the Organization Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Final Project Proposal
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
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PUA 5307, Strategic Planning Unit V
Strategy Formulation and Adoption
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 7: Formulating and Adopting Strategies and Plans to Manage the Issues Suggested Reading: See Study Guide PowerPoint Presentation
Unit VI
Organizational Vision and Plan Implementation
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Unit Study Guide Chapter 8: Establishing an Effective Organizational Vision for the Future Chapter 9: Implementing Strategies and Plans Successfully Suggested Reading: See Study Guide Article Critique
Unit VII
Sustainability and Strategic Leadership
Review:
Read: Submit: Notes/Goals:
Course Schedule
Unit Study Guide Chapter 10: Reassessing and Revising Strategies and Plans Chapter 11: Leadership Roles in Making Strategic Planning Work Suggested Reading: See Study Guide PowerPoint Presentation
Unit VIII
Getting Started
Review:
Unit Study Guide
Read:
Chapter 12: Getting Started with Strategic Planning
Submit: Final Project Notes/Goals:
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