Team Homework Assignment Guidelines & Grading Rubric

The first case analysis project is focused on how individuals interact in team settings. There are
several issues with the way that the team in the case dealt with problems, the task at hand and
their interpersonal dynamics. The goal of your case analysis project is to analyze these
problems, diagnose the cause(s) of the problem, come up with three solutions to the problem, and
propose one of your three solutions as your final recommendation as a group. This case
assignment is a good opportunity to review the materials that the course has covered so far, and
find ways to apply the 3! material to a "real world# case. $s teams are becoming important in
smaller organizations, looking at a team with systemic problems will hopefully help you with
your own team e%periences in the future.
&t is important that everyone participates actively within the group process, as that way
each member can contribute to the overall performance of the group. &f you do not contribute to
the overall process, you are missing out on an opportunity to e%ercise the leadership and team
skills that are the focus of 'eading (rganizations. )e strongly recommend that you make an
effort to be active, as continued reports of non*attendance and participation can lead to lower
individual grades and potential e%pulsion from the group. $ttendance and participation means
that you come to group meeting prepared and ready to talk about the case and your
conceptualization of the case. To come unprepared is disrespectful to both the group and
yourself.
The paper should be done in no more than five, double*spaced pages. This assignment is at
the beginning of your discussion section during the week that it is due in week si%. The team
should plan on spending a good chunk of time early in the week (+ mins to , hrs) to outline the
causes, solutions and decide on an initial recommendation. This way you#ll have a road map or
game plan to then write up your paper in a timely fashion.
The following template will be used to grade your assignment-
II. Clarify the problem and diagnose its causes
. /etermining the key problems (overall issues rather than details)
(e.g. leadership, individual differences, communication, organization design, etc.)
. $ppropriate supporting logic
. $pplying (0 theories to understand the causes
. /etails and e%amples (i.e. if communication is determined to be a problem, outline specifically where things went
wrong in the communication process 1 e.g. encoding) ! points 22222
The first thing that we want you to do is diagnose3name the problem that you see. 4roups must
determine what the initial problem is before they can move forward with solving the
problem. )e recommend that you initially make your diagnosis as broad as possible, in
order to use as much material from the course when coming up with solutions. /iagnosing
the problem should be done in one part of the paper, and should be done early within the
paper.
III. Identify alternati"e courses of action and assess them
. $cknowledge several possible solutions (,*3 options)
. &dentifying pros and cons for each option
. $pplication of (0 theories and terminology (not just stated)
. 5ach option helps to solve the problem3problems that are identified
. 'ogical consistency
. 6olutions are grounded in reality and the conte%t
#$ points 22222
7our three alternatives should focus on the problem that you diagnose. &f you diagnose
communication as the problem, and then propose that the company hires new leaders and
restructure the entire company, then you are solving problems that you are not diagnosing.
8or e%ample, if you go to the doctor with a broken arm and they try to take out your tonsils,
then they are solving a problem that they did not diagnose9 :lease make certain that they
alternatives are grounded in the material from the course as well. )e realize that you may
have some creative ideas, but use the material from the course to support your arguments for
your three alternatives.
I%. &ecide on a course of action
. The solution is supported3defended as to why it was selected
. /iscussion of chosen option and steps in greater detail
. :otential issues associated with implementation
. 'ogical ;onsistency
. 8inal solution addressed the main problem and its causes, which are identified prior
. <erifying the decision from several angles
#$points 222222
8inally, pick one of your three alternatives and e%pand upon it. )e recommend that you look at
it from the perspective of how it is better, and what you think it will take to apply this solution to
the case. 7ou could include steps for implementation, for e%ample.
%. '"erall (resentation
. 4rammar, spelling
. ;larity of writing and ideas
. 8low of paper
)! points 22222