Essay
Objective: Students will learn teamwork in several innovation projects and will develop experience and deeper understanding in the practical use of application tools, innovative thought processes, and teamwork in a work-like setting.
Introduction: Collaboration as part of process improvement in the workplace requires team strategies as part of the hierarchy of process discovery. Key to effective change is collaboration and communication at a critical level of team building negotiations. It is about sharing perspectives and opinions that is aligned to solving problems and mission objectives. Key characteristics that stimulate effective collaboration fall into areas like: individual conduct, personal and team work ethics, organizational culture, team management, and organizational values and goals to produce exceptional results. Process and strategic alliance along with a high-level of scoping opportunities, performance and value-added activities is important.
Deliverables:
The essay for this lesson is required to be a minimum of 5 full pages (excluding title and reference pages) which clearly demonstrate your understanding of the activity. Essays should have a clear introduction, thesis statement and conclusion, written in APA format (APAstyle.org).
Activity Details:
Step 1: Compare and contrast cooperation and collaboration by reviewing the reading provided in this lesson. Look for any external sources that may help you define and contrast these two concepts. As you research, review the steps to Lean Improvement as outlined in your reading Process Improvement Calculations and Tools you Identify the primary purposes of collaboration plus three more key characteristics of collaboration and explain what makes them work best. Consider how the key characteristics of collaboration you have identified can improve group work with workplace scenario examples.
The Written analysis should include a minimum of three references cited within the content of the paper and the reference page according to APA guidelines.
Feel free to include internal course reading and external sources (relevant internet articles, magazines, periodicals, etc.) provided they are cited following NAU APA guidelines
Step 2: Begin the essay with an introduction that describes the distinction between cooperation and collaboration noting the importance of each, including the advantage and a strong emphasis for the added value collaboration delivers in the workplace. Conclude the introduction paragraph with a theme statement about the power of team collaboration as a strategy for process improvement strategy.
Follow the introductory paragraph by comparing and contrasting cooperative and collaborative workplace and how it might be part of business process improvement strategy. Demonstrate how collaborative sharing of information and team processes allow for an organization to be more efficient and effective and advance the application of process improvement in the workplace.
Identify the key steps in implementation of collaboration and the primary purposes of collaboration within the context of process discovery. Utilize one of the Hierarchy of Process Discovery diagrams to illustrate your idea of collaboration, communication processes, and any other activities related to high-scope processes. Include a descriptive clarification for each collaborative purpose and the nature of the integration as a BPI strategy.
Follow key characteristics of collaboration with an explanation why these collaborative characteristics deliver to added-value in the workplace. Consider and write about the importance for collaborators to successfully and constructively address disagreement, as shown by these characteristics. Research and integrate the strategies you believe are important as part of your process improvement plan, including receiving feedback along with iterative processes to improve workplace productivity.
Demonstrate how various technology based innovations are now commonly used to improve collaboration, communication, share content, information, and accomplish business processes more efficiently.
Step 3: Perform reflective thinking about how collaborative purpose, key characteristics, technology advancement, innovation and creativity have transformed productivity and expectations in the workplace. Synthesize what you have learned and write your thoughts about how people work collaboratively, how they set forth an initial idea or work product, provide feedback to one another on those ideas or products, and then revise in accordance with integrated BPI strategies. Demonstrate how collaborative processes can produce a result far superior to that produced by any person working alone and more specifically with a process of discovery.
Conclude with a summary that highlights the power of collaboration today and the key points thereof, particularly as demonstrated through your process discovery diagram.
Essay Rubric
APAstyle.org
