The culminating assignment, the Organizational Improvement Change Project, is an opportunity to integrate what you have learned in EDL 7141, and as a change agent to apply your learning to a change initiative in your workplace. If you are currently involved as the leader of a change initiative in your organization, you may use the initiative as your project topic. If you are not currently involved as the leader of a change initiative, you must develop a topic for your project.

Where in your organization is there a gap between what is and what could be? What needs to be improved or could be done better? What are you passionate about in terms of improvement in your organization?

Your project need not be a huge undertaking; however, it should be something that actually could be accomplished and would be valuable to your work setting. Organize the components of your final assignment as follows:

Introduction and Overview. Briefly, present an overview of the organization, including organizational structure and setting. Discuss the history of the topic and why it is in need of improvement. Provide existing data or evidence that substantiates the need for change.  We are required to follow Institutional Review Board policies regarding research; administering a survey is not a part of this course.

Change Scenario. Describe the situation that requires change within the organization.  Examine the project in relationship to several change theories and processes as presented in course readings. 

• What specifically needs improvement? Why is it important? Who in terms of stakeholders will potentially benefit? Is this surface or deep change?
• Obstacles, Impediments, and Supports for Change. In terms of your specific change initiative, describe the specific obstacles, impediments, and supports that exist. Reference the ideas and
• theoretical concepts discussed by Fullan (2016), Bolman and Deal (2017), the authors of other readings in this course, or outside scholarly sources. For example, have you experienced or do you expect intergenerational issues to impede the progress of your change initiative? How can you tap into currently existing hubs and nodes (Reeves, 2006) to garner support?
• Change Topic Analysis. Apply two or more of Bolman and Deal’s (2017) frames to your change topic initiative. Which frame(s) are the most important to consider given the
• culture and climate of your organization? What frame considerations were missing during the phases of the change process or need to be considered during the three phases?
• Action Plan. Briefly outline the steps that have been taken or will need to be taken to bring about your intended change. Include a timeline of when the actions will be taken. Think about the phases of change which could be short term if it is surface change, or long term if it is deep change. The Plan could be developed in phases and/or realistic that it most likely will take 3-5 years to bring about lasting change.
• Leadership Self-Reflection. Reflect on your leadership skills and abilities as well as your strengths and weaknesses as an agent of change. What skills did you demonstrate or will you need to demonstrate? What skills or abilities do you need to develop more fully to be an effective agent of change? Be candid. How specifically do you plan to develop yourself into the leader you wish to become?