Title: Assignment 3 - Organizational Strategy
Course: KVCC BUS208 > Section: Assignments

We have just completed the discussion of Chapter 2 in which there was an emphasis on how projects should be aligned with the strategy of the organization. One of the main problems with this is that the process is heavily dependent on having a clear thought out strategy or mission within the business and this is often not present. I want you to think on this in reference to prior work experience and answer the following questions:

1.             I first want you to think of a past work experience which was negative in regards to a clear direction of the company or having an established mission. Answer the following questions in this regards: (If you do not have an example of a past workplace you can use second hand experiences that you have heard from others or you can create one)

a.             In this scenario did the business have a mission statement?

i.       If yes, what was the value placed on it?

ii.     Was it ever referenced/Discussed?

iii.   Did the managers use it as a decider as to what direction the company should take?

iv.   Did you at the very least know where to find it if you wanted to view it?

v.     If the mission statement was not written down or formalized was there still some structure as to the direction of the business such as common goals that are being worked towards?

b.             If asked could you state, the following items describing the business: Give Examples

a.             Primary Values

b.             Common goals

c.             Core Principles

d.             Commitment to their customers

c.             If you could state any of the above how did, they impact the business? Did knowing these items help or benefit in any way?

d.             If you could not state any did this negatively change things within the organization?

e.             Think of an example where the business went in a direction or selected a project that went against their beliefs (these can be well documented and known or internal and not examined). What effect did this have on the organization as a whole?

f.              In the above example if the business was more focused on their mission and strategy how would the outcome differ?

g.             Examine the business as a whole:

h.             How effective do you think the business is?

i.               If they were more focused on their strategy and mission would this effective rating be higher? Why/Why not?

2.     Now I want you to think of a more positive example where a business is more focused on the goals and mission. Unfortunately, many times these are few and far between so you may not have an example that you have experience firsthand. If not look at some company that you believe fits these criteria and answer the following questions:

a.             Was there a mission statement, if so how much was emphasized within the company?

b.             Were the others areas we discussed above such as values and goals clearly expressed?

c.             When the organization is focused on common goals how did this change the work environment? Was it different than that other business in question one or was it the same? Why?

d.             Give an example of a project that was developed in this business that was more focused on some common strategy? How did it feel to work on this project?

e.             Examine this business:

a.      How effective would you rank this business?

i.     What part of this would you attribute this effectiveness to the alignment of strategy?

3.     Compare the two businesses:

a.             Which business would you rate as being better? Why?

b.             Out of the two what one was more enjoyable to work within? Why?

c.             If you were starting your own business which one would you more emulate? Why?

4.     Do you agree that a business should be aligned to a goal or mission and all projects should head in this direction? Defend your stance with some argument or evidence.

Attached Files: | - KVCC BUS208_ProjectMgmt_Assignment 3(1).pdf