IT402-1 Unit 2 Assignment: Gathering and Analyzing​

IT402-1 Unit 2 Assignment: Gathering and Analyzing​

Unit 2 Assignment: Gathering and Analyzing     

Data

Outcomes addressed in this activity:

Unit Outcomes:

•  Demonstrate an understanding of analysis.
•  Research and prove an understanding of other organizational methodologies.

Course Outcomes:

IT402-1: Examine consulting processes and techniques.

Scenario No. 1

Holliman Veterinary Hospital has considered advertising on the radio and in newspapers in their community, but now has contacted you about the possibility of developing a better Web presence. FCVH is located in an area of about a half million people; there are many other veterinarians, so competition for clients can be fierce. The hospital's current "website" consists of a homepage created on a free template, some random photos, and minimal information such as the address, phone, and e-mail contact.

Scenario No. 2

Phillips Insurance Company has offices in seven cities, and has contacted you about their aging network infrastructure. The security of company and client data is always of primary concern. The company is contemplating an agent training through delivery of video and live class sessions on an intranet, but the current network is not capable of handling it. There is concern about the use of both hardware and software by the trainers themselves as they develop a program, and again, there is a concern about keeping company secrets from competitors.

Scenario No. 3

WLAB Television station is located in a medium-sized town in which there are three stations. The board of directors largely satisfied with the technology in the studio as well as the station's website, where there is a link to a national weather outlet so that local customers can

download an application to monitor current conditions and receive warnings. They have contacted you because they are contemplating the development of their own weather application.

Scenario No. 4

Cassel Scout Productions is a talent agency specializing in the promotion of actors, singers, and dancers. The company has a database to house both agent and performer data plus performance assignments, but there is difficulty in gathering information for meaningful reports and it often seems like additional data about performers might be useful. The company has contacted you to determine if the current database could be reworked or if they should start over with a new database before the amount of data is too large to handle.

Assignment instructions and requirements

Prepare an APA-formatted paper with the following content. Your Assignment does not require an abstract page, but does require a cover page and separate reference page.

Part 1

SWOT Analysis

Choose just one of the scenarios above.

•  Provide an appropriate paper subheading.
•  Write an introductory statement to this section before presenting your SWOT analysis.

Do not simply say you "chose scenario no. 2" — write as if the reader is unaware of the

Assignment instructions.

•  Organize your SWOT analysis on the page by either using a table or a bulleted list.

Make sure it is clear which answer explains the strengths, which one answers the weaknesses, etc.

•  Write in full sentences.
•  Provide at least 200 words total.
•  Do not use sources for this part of the Assignment; write entirely in your own words.

Part 2

Visual explanations of potential solutions

Using the same scenario that you chose for SWOT analysis, prepare one of the following to show the options for what you can do for this client. Note that any diagramming (flowchart or fishbone) may either be developed in Visio and embedded in your Word document, or created with Word tools. Do not provide screenshots; whichever option you choose, the product must be editable, because as a consultant, you need to develop "living" documents, as explained in the Reading Resource document.

Also:

•  Provide an appropriate paper subheading.

Options

1.  Flowchart: A minimum of nine shapes must be included; the flowchart must be created using standard flowcharting shapes, symbols, and methodology.

2.  Checklist: This may be presented as a bulleted list. Full sentences are not required, but your content must be easily understood by the reader. A minimum of 20 items must be included, categorized into subsets to show your logic.

3.  Cause and Effect Fishbone Diagram: The reading this week refers to Figure 5.2 in the text; your fishbone diagram should have approximately the same amount of detail as in that example.

4.  Prioritization Matrix: This option is a table showing a minimum of seven issues and the impact and urgency. An example is found in the assigned textbook reading this week.

Part 3

Research and paraphrasing information

The textbook introduces STEEPLE, Value Chain analysis, and the Balanced Scorecard. Choose one of these and use either the textbook or another academically suitable source for this part of the assignment in which you will explain the method:

•  Provide an appropriate paper subheading.
•  Describe the method in your own words; do not quote from your sources.
•  Provide at least 70 words.
•  Write in full sentences.
•  Include an in-text citation to identify the source of your information.

Last Page

Include a reference page with an APA-formatted entry for the source you used in Part 3 above.

Notes:

• Subheadings should be short phrases that describe the content. Do not copy Assignment instructions or questions; doing so does not prove an understanding of main ideas.
•  Do not copy or quote any part of this Assignment in your paper.

Assignment Requirements

Answers contain sufficient information to adequately answer the questions and contain no spelling, grammar, or APA errors. Points deducted from grade for each writing, spelling, or grammar error are at your instructor’s discretion.

Make sure you download the file “Writing Center Resources” from Doc Sharing to assist you

with meeting APA expectations.

Naming your Assignment

As you save this document, name it according to the following formula (using your own name, of course): IT402-Unit2-LastName-FirstName (example: IT402-Unit2-Jones-Albert).

Challenge Levels

Anyone up for a challenge? This course offers you the opportunity to go beyond the required course material. Two Challenge Levels are offered to supercharge your coursework: Student Whiz and Rock Star Professional.

Challenge Levels are a great way for you to learn more about the topic, better improve your existing skills and abilities, and/or highlight how knowledgeable you are in the unit material. These levels do not count for additional points or guarantee a higher grade.

Challenge Levels offer you an opportunity to stand out, learn more, and gain confidence.

To start, follow the rubric and project instructions as you normally would. If you choose to try it, supplement your project with the challenge levels. Reach out to your instructor and do some research for resources. The "Student Whiz" level adds to the basic level, and the "Rock-Star Professional" level adds more challenges to the "Student Whiz" level.

You must complete the "Student Whiz" level before you attempt the "Rock-Star Professional" level.

If you start a challenge level, but it becomes too difficult to handle, please stick with the basic project instructions as found in the rubric to calculate your grade.

Most importantly, have fun with it! Your Challenge Levels for this week:

Student Expert

Write a paragraph of at least 50 words about why you chose the visual method you used in

Part 2. Place the paragraph under the flowchart, checklist, fishbone diagram, or matrix.

Rock-Star Professional

Provide an abstract page for this assignment, properly formatted, with a 150-200 word abstract paragraph.

Assignment 2 grading rubric = 50 points

Assignment Requirement

Points

Possible

Points

Earned

1.  SWOT analysis of a scenario chosen from the three options, presented in table or bulleted list form. Minimum wording:

200.

0-–20

2.  Adequately detailed flowchart, checklist, fishbone diagram, or

prioritization matrix regarding same scenario chosen for Part

1. Must be a "living" document.

0–20

3.  Explanation of STEEPLE, Value Chain analysis, the

Balanced Scorecard, or the Ansoff Matrix paraphrased from an appropriate academic source. Minimum wording: 70.

0–10

Total (Sum of all points)

0–50

Points deducted for spelling, grammar, and/or APA errors.

Adjusted total points