Project idea Proposal memo

Project idea Proposal memo

Assignment 1 (10%)

DUE DATE: February 2, 2018

CMNS 1140

Darren Francis

 

Assignment objective
You will be writing a 2-page memo worth 15% of your grade.  In the assignment, you will be proposing to research a “workplace” problem or opportunity.  You need to think about a situation in a company or organization you know (work, church, student society, club etc.) that presents an opportunity for you to complete some research to solve the problem. Then, over the next few weeks, you will complete the research and submit your suggestions in OC-Assignment 3 that is due the last week of class and is worth 25% of your grade.

Topic Examples

 You might recommend that your company or branch (not a large international company) create a mentoring program for new employees.

 

 You might suggest a new inventory management system to reduce loss.

 

WARNING

Be sure to pick an organization that will really listen to you (although you don’t have to give them the report). Make sure that it is a small manageable realistic project that your project sponsor will support your recommendations.  The goal is to write a report that could be acted upon if your project sponsor wanted to.

 

DO NOT provide the recommendations in the proposal. You will not know what to do until you’ve completed the research and are writing OC – Assignment 3.

 

The university has an ethics policy which does not allow you to do research with people e.g. surveys etc. (unless you have research approval and have gone through the research ethics course), so do not propose surveying people or doing primary research.

After you receive my feedback, you may send your proposal to the project sponsor at the organization you are planning to work with. You only need to convince the person in authority that this is an important problem or opportunity and that you have the skills to research it and provide great recommendations.

 

In a proposal you “propose“ what you are going to do. It is very costly to conduct research and write a long report, so employers require that you write a proposal and get their approval before you research and write a report. Employers want to be sure that you can write an effective report that will solve the problem, address the situation, or fill the need. You have to convince them that you can do the job.

You can refer to chapter 11 in your textbook for more information on proposals.

 

 

 

Identify and carefully explain each part/component of the problem or opportunity so that the audience fully understands the overall problem (or opportunity) and its underlying causes. If your audience approves your explanation/analysis of the problem, it will be much more willing to support your proposal (and later your recommendations).

 

 

Note: This topic that you are proposing that your boss allow you to research will result in your final class project is a 6-8 page recommendation report (due the last week of class),

 

What you must submit as part of your proposal:

 

• A 750 word proposal to research solutions to a problem or take advantage of an opportunity. DO NOT provide me with any recommendations in the proposal.
• A Works cited page following APA format listing at least 2 articles you will use to complete your research.

 

• At least one visual that is used effectively (a table is appropriate)

 

 

Remember that the sources you will use in your report must be current and reputable – with at least 2 from scholarly and professional journals in the field.

 

In your proposal, also discuss any primary research interviews with industry experts that you wish to conduct to solve the problem, or take advantage of the opportunity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marking Grid – CMNS 1140 Proposal Assignment

 (25 points)

 

Student Name:

Marking Criteria	5 points	3.5 points	2.5 points	1 point	0 points	Total
Paragraph organization	All paragraphs are of appropriate length, include an introductory sentence, relevant details and concluding sentence.  Business formatting is perfectly applied.	Most paragraphs are of appropriate length, with an introductory sentence, relevant details and concluding sentence. Most of the document is written using proper business formatting.	Several paragraphs include relevant details but are not typically constructed well. Business formatting is only partially used throughout.	Majority of paragraphs are not well constructed and do not include relevant details. Business formatting is rarely applied.	Assignment does not meet any of the criteria for the “paragraph organization” category.
Grammar and Diction	Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling are used throughout.	Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling are used in most cases.	Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling are not used in most cases.	Proper grammar, punctuation and spelling are not used in the majority of sentences.	Assignment fails to follow appropriate writing conventions.
Professional Writing	All sentences are clear, efficient (of appropriate length) and well constructed.	Most sentences are clear, efficient (of appropriate length) and well constructed.	Many sentences are unclear, of inappropriate length (too long) and not constructed well.	Most sentences are unclear, inefficient, inappropriate length and not well constructed.	Assignment does not meet any of the criteria for the “professional writing” category.
Communications Goal	The student clearly and concisely outlines a revised schedule.	The email is for the most part clear and concise and the new schedule is understood.	The student demonstrates an understanding of the assignment but fails to articulate a new schedule which is understood.	The student fails to provide a new schedule	Assignment does not meet any of the criteria for the “communications goal” category.
Layout	Courteous language is used throughout.  The entire document is professionally written, organized and in line with Instructor’s directions and requirements for document layout.	Most of the document is written courteously.  Most sections are professionally written, organized and in line with Instructor’s directions and requirements for document layout.	The document is written courteously in several areas. Some sections are professionally written, organized and in line with Instructor’s directions and requirements for document layout.	The document is written courteously in some areas. Most sections are not professionally written, organized and in line with Instructor’s directions and requirements for document layout.	Assignment does not meet any of the criteria for the “layout” category.
ASSIGNMENT TOTAL