Assignment
Order Description
In the article, ‘Methods and Tools, The Rich Picture: A Tool for Reasoning About Work Context’ (Monk & Howard, 1998), the authors describe the concept of a rich picture and its benefits for identifying stakeholder biases and concerns. As a scholarly practitioner and researcher, you are encouraged to see yourself as part of the research problem and environment. For this Learning Set, you will begin your DBA journey by examining your own practice, organisation or particular environment and assessing the issues that arise from it. Reflect on the process for creating the rich picture that was outlined in this week’s media resource.
Questions that encourage reflection are the key to significant, transformative learning. Reflection increases self-awareness which helps people relate to others more genuinely (Marquardt, 2005, pp.120).
You have explored literature on action research, collaborative learning and reflexive thinking. As an action researcher, part of your role in this programme will be to question assumptions, biases and processes. Similarly, you will also be encouraged to accept questioning of your own preferences, thoughts and biases from your colleagues. To engage your colleagues, answer the following questions in response to this week’s Learning Set Question, ‘Put yourself in the rich picture and discuss key issues and questions that you might consider for further exploration’.
With these thoughts in mind:
In an approximately 750-word response, address the following and post to your Learning Set
Consider the rich picture presented in this week’s media resource. Are there biases or concerns that you had not considered?
• Use the Monk & Howard (1998) article as well as the ideas outlined in this week’s media resource to develop a ‘rich picture’ of your practice location and associated issues.
• Explain what the rich picture shows:
o What is your professional practice?
o Where is it located?
o Who are the primary stakeholders, and what are their questions, concerns and biases?
• Put yourself in the picture and discuss key issues and questions that you might consider for further exploration.
Think about your environment and the issues you identified for your particular practice and then, continue your dialogue with your Learning Set by addressing the following questions:
• What assumptions am I or others making about my environment? How do these reflect a bias or my subjectivity?
• What implications are there for my current practice? What are the consequences for not taking action on this issue or issues?
• What (about my environment or this issue) do I need to understand more about through research?
• How will I review my findings from action and research? How will I review my learning?
In working out your responses to the Learning Set, you should choose examples from your own experience or find appropriate cases on the Web that you can discuss. Credit will be given for references you make to relevant examples from real companies.Also, remember to cite and reference examples from the readings and journal articles for this week.
