Assessment 1 Capstone Project Summary InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1 availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 Create a 2–3 page (single-spaced) project summary that describes your chosen organization, defines the scope of a business problem or opportunity in that organization, and provides a strategy for how you will go about your capstone project. Include a discussion of the type of data you will need, and how your topic allows you to demonstrate each of the MBA program outcomes. Collapse All Introduction This course revolves around the creation of a single, significant capstone project. In other words, a project that caps off your learning and your program, allowing you to demonstrate the competencies of leadership and collaboration, ethical and evidence-based decision making, and innovative and strategic thinking. For your capstone, you will choose a real company and analyze it in a way that demonstrates your understanding of the MBA program outcomes. You will turn your analysis of that company into a written report with recommendations and a formal presentation for your intended audience. Having a solid, doable scope is an important part of creating a successful capstone project, and the exact scope is up to you. To help you establish a realistic scope, you will start with the project summary. Be careful to consider the scalability of your project scope, ensuring that it demonstrates your ability to lead in a business environment and showcases your achievement of all MBA program outcomes. Examples A scope that is poorly defined: I want to write a general analysis of the bookseller, Barnes & Noble. This topic is too broad, and it would probably require hundreds of pages to address all of the possible analyses. A scope that is better defined: I want to focus on how Barnes & Noble has managed to survive the Internet age while Borders has crumbled. What makes this a better scope? The scope is grounded in a problem (such as how to survive Internet competition) or opportunity (such as the area lacking a business that you plan to open), which allows you to focus the analysis. It must also allow for you to analyze and suggest evidence-based recommendations, takeaways, or actionable next steps as the crux of your project. Important note: You must be able to prove the problem with evidence. So in the above example, you would also provide data showing that Barnes & Noble is profitable, perhaps comparing Barnes & Noble income or profits to Borders in its last years. Preparation Read the MBA Capstone Project Description [PDF]. Instructions For this assessment, introduce the organization you have chosen to research, why you chose it, the scope of your project, and how it will allow you to demonstrate all of the MBA program outcomes. Write a 2–4 page paper, in professional writing style, that details the topic and scope of your capstone project. Your project summary should be clear and concise yet thorough enough for faculty to provide feedback and guidance. Your project summary should be well-organized and include the following sections: Organization: Describe the background of your chosen organization. Provide a brief background of your selected organization. For instance, discuss its product lines, number of years in business, organization structure, location, et cetera. If you choose an organization for which you work, your introduction must include a statement that you received permission to use the company from a supervisor. Scope: Describe a business topic, problem, or opportunity within that organization that you intend to research. Describe the problem or opportunity you see that makes this company a good choice. Explain the scope of your project by clearly identifying the topics or areas you intend to research. Provide a general action plan on how you will research, analyze, and identify recommendations or solutions to this business challenge or opportunity. Establish the premise of your paper (the problem or need) with evidence. For example, if your plan is to talk about how Dillard's department store can come back after a huge financial loss, you should include citations that establish its dramatic financial loss. Data: Explain the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Discuss the general type of data sources you will be using to inform your analysis. Provide at least two specific sources that you are considering. These resources should be from credible sources such as the Wall Street Journal, IBIS, et cetera. Use the excellent Research Guide – MBA for locating credible resources from the Capella library's business databases and article collections. Include the process or steps on how you will access the data necessary for analysis of a business topic or challenge. Identify any special requirements that you might need to meet to access the data you will need. Explain risks you think will be encountered and the mitigation plan to manage those risks. Demonstrating MBA program outcomes: Explain how your topic will allow you to showcase your leadership ability by demonstrating each MBA program outcome. List out each program outcome clearly, and then explain in 3–4 sentences how your topic will allow you to demonstrate each. The MBA program outcomes are listed in the MBA Capstone Project Description document. Identify specific items of your project summary that you believe demonstrates the outcome. Conclusion. Wrap up your paper with a clear, concise conclusion that summarizes your plan. Just a couple sentences is fine. Submission Requirements Your assessment should also meet the following requirements: Style: Your paper should follow the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document guidelines (available in the MBA Program Resources) for academic style. It should be single-spaced, use subheadings, and be well-organized and well-written. Communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message and quality. APA guidelines: Format citations according to current APA style and formatting. Resources: At least one resource should be a scholarly article or other content found in the Capella library, and one should be from the Wall Street Journal. If using Internet sources, evaluate them appropriately to make sure they are credible resources. Length: Your paper should be 2–4 pages. Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point. ePortfolio You should consider adding this to your ePortfolio and personal portfolio. This assessment demonstrates your ability to draft a project summary, which is necessary in a professional setting when you are trying to pitch an idea or potential project, or make recommendations. Competencies Measured By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria: Competency 2: Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives. Describe the background of the chosen organization. Competency 3: Think critically and analytically to provide evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities. Describe an intended business topic, problem, or opportunity to research. Explain the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Explain how the topic will allow showcasing of leadership ability by demonstrating some MBA program outcomes. Competency 7: Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment. Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional. Scoring Guide Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated. Collapse All Criterion 1 Describe the background of the chosen organization. Distinguished Describes the background of the chosen organization; includes factors or characteristics about the organization that makes it appropriate to use for the capstone project. Proficient Describes the background of the chosen organization. Basic Identifies an organization but does not describe sufficient details to gauge whether the organization is an appropriate selection for use in the capstone project. Non Performance Does not identify a specific, real organization. Criterion 2 Describe an intended business topic, problem, or opportunity to research. Distinguished Describes an intended business topic, problem, or opportunity to research; provides concrete examples and citations that support selection of the business and the scope of research. Proficient Describes an intended business topic, problem, or opportunity to research. Basic Identifies a business topic, problem, or opportunity, but the research intent and scope is unclear. Non Performance Does not identify a business topic, problem, or opportunity. Criterion 3 Explain the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Distinguished Explains the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine a business topic, problem, or opportunity; outlines the process for obtaining the data and mitigating risks in obtaining the data. Proficient Explains the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Basic Identifies the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Non Performance Does not identify the level of accessibility to data necessary to examine the chosen business topic, problem, or opportunity. Criterion 4 Explain how the topic will allow showcasing of leadership ability by demonstrating some MBA program outcomes. Distinguished Explains how the topic will allow showcasing of leadership ability by demonstrating some MBA program outcomes; the explanation includes specific details and examples. Proficient Explains how the topic will allow showcasing of leadership ability by demonstrating some MBA program outcomes. Basic Explains how the topic will allow demonstration of each MBA program outcome; however, the explanation does not support the alignment of topics to the program outcomes. Non Performance Does not explain how the topic will allow demonstration of MBA program outcomes. Criterion 5 Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional. Distinguished Writes coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional; writing is free from errors and formatted appropriately for the purpose or audience. Proficient Writes coherently with minimal or minor errors to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional. Basic Writes somewhat coherently to support ideas, but writing has some grammar, mechanics, or other errors that detract from credibility as a business professional. Non Performance Does not write coherently nor use grammar and mechanics as expected of a business professional; writing has major errors. WalkMeChat Assessment 2 Annotated Outline InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1 availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 Create a 2–5 page annotated outline that includes the sections to be analyzed, ethical decision making aspects of the topic, main points of the recommendation, and credible evidence you plan to use for supporting the analysis and recommendations. Collapse All Introduction While everyone has their own process for writing, creating an outline is often an important early step in the process in all types of writing, even for the most seasoned writers. By creating an outline, you draft a plan that organizes your thoughts, helps you see gaps in your thought process, and enables you to decide where in your paper you will address particular issues. An annotated outline is a document that organizes the main sections to be included in your paper. The annotations are based on thinking through your approach to the paper and developing enough detail that anyone who reads the outline can follow your thought process. The purpose of this assessment is as follows: To build an annotated outline that shows the key sections of your analysis, the ethical considerations, and the leadership and collaboration aspects that you intend to include in your capstone project. With this outline, faculty can understand the organization and purpose of your paper; upon approval, you may move forward to writing the capstone project (Assessment 3). To help you manage your work because you will need to start researching now (if you have not already) to create your annotated outline. To demonstrate that you know how to cite in APA format by including some quotations or paraphrases from researched sources. The sources you include in the outline may or may not be used in your actual paper. To demonstrate your ability to create a well-organized document, suitable for academic or business, that meets established criteria. Instructions For this assessment, create an annotated outline that provides a framework of your capstone project. Begin by reviewing the MBA Capstone Project Description [PDF]. Your annotated outline must state the name of your chosen organization and must include the following items: Identify the main sections to be developed in the paper and tie them to the project objectives. In your key sections, you should use at least four main headings; these sections make up the body of your outline. Each heading must have at least two sub-points to develop the detail required. Include a description of each major point. Identify where each supporting reference will be integrated. Include at least one reference to support each major point of the paper. Incorporate relevant quotes or paraphrases from a source that you might use for support, with an APA in-text citation. Identify main points that address ethical aspects associated with your chosen business. Ethical considerations/aspects should also be one of the headings of your outline. Use the program outcomes to help determine the areas of ethics that you might want to cover. Include at least one reference to elaborate on how you intend to cover ethics in your project. Identify main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with your chosen business. Leadership and collaboration considerations/aspects should also be one of the headings of your outline. Review the program outcomes to determine the areas of leadership and collaboration that you should consider. Include at least one reference to elaborate on how you intend to cover leadership and collaboration in your project. Identify main points of your recommendations. Your recommendations should also be one of the headings of your outline. Identify credible evidence to support an analysis. For the evidence you provide, include key points to clarify why it matters and how it will inform the analysis. Your annotated outline should have these sections: An executive summary. An introduction. The body of your outline should comprise at least four main headings with additional subheadings and points. (Never use the word Body as a heading or subheading.) A conclusion. References. Use APA style and formatting for all the sources you use in the annotated outline. Submission Requirements Your assessment should also meet the following requirements: Style: This outline should be written in academic format; refer to the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines (available in the MBA Program Resources). It should be double spaced, use subheadings, and be well-organized and well-written. Communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message and quality. APA guidelines: Format your paper according to current APA style and formatting. Resources: Use at least four resources from credible resources. Length: Your outline should be 2–5 pages. Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point. ePortfolio You should consider adding this to your ePortfolio and personal portfolio. Being able to demonstrate the organization necessary to construct an outline is a valuable skill set. Additionally, your finished capstone project should be added to your ePortfolio, and by having the annotated outline, you can show how you arrived at the final deliverable. Competencies Measured By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria: Competency 1: Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Identify the main sections to be developed in the paper and tie them to the project objectives. Competency 2: Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives. Identify where each supporting reference will be integrated. Competency 3: Think critically and analytically to provide evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities. Identify main points of recommendations. Competency 5: Lead and collaborate in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Identify main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business. Competency 6: Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions. Identify main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business. Competency 7: Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment. Cite sources and references in proper APA format. Scoring Guide Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated. Collapse All Criterion 1 Identify the main sections to be developed in the paper and tie them to the project objectives. Distinguished Identifies the main sections to be developed in the paper and ties them to the project objectives, taking care to clarify the importance of each section. Proficient Identifies the main sections to be developed in the paper and ties them to the project objectives. Basic Identifies some key sections to be developed in the paper and somewhat ties them to the project objectives. Non Performance Does not identify key sections to be developed in the paper. Criterion 2 Identify where each supporting reference will be integrated. Distinguished Identifies where each supporting reference will be integrated; incorporates relevant quotes or paraphrases from credible sources. Proficient Identifies where each supporting reference will be integrated. Basic Identifies where each supporting reference will be integrated; however, the quotes or paraphrases lack relevancy or credibility is suspect. Non Performance Does not identify where each supporting reference will be integrated. Criterion 3 Identify main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business. Distinguished Identifies main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business; includes specific details for conveying the ethical context, situation, or consideration. Proficient Identifies main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business. Basic Identifies main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business; however, the ethical aspects are not clear. Non Performance Does not identify main points that address ethical aspects associated with the chosen business. Criterion 4 Identify main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business. Distinguished Identifies main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business; includes specific details that address leadership and collaboration considerations. Proficient Identifies main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business. Basic Identifies main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business; however, the description is incomplete or somewhat aligns and sources are from questionable sources. Non Performance Does not identify main points that address leadership and collaboration aspects associated with the chosen business. Criterion 5 Identify main points of recommendations. Distinguished Identifies main points of recommendations; includes specific details to connect analysis with recommendations. Proficient Identifies main points of recommendations. Basic Identifies some points of recommendations but lacks clarity. Non Performance Does not identify main points of recommendations. Criterion 6 Cite sources and references in proper APA format. Distinguished Cites sources and references in proper APA format with no errors. Proficient Cites sources and references in proper APA format. Basic Cites sources and references but not in proper APA format. Non Performance Does not cite sources and references. WalkMeChat Assessment 3 Capstone Project InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 InstructionsResourcesActivityAttempt 1 availableAttempt 2Attempt 3 Create a 15–20 page capstone paper that analyzes a business topic and provides recommendations and is supported with credible resources that demonstrate evidence-based thinking. Collapse All Introduction Throughout your MBA program, you have worked to develop as a business professional and prepare to meet future challenges as a business leader. Your program culminates in the capstone project, which forms the primary focus of this course, the final course you will take in the program. The capstone project is intended to provide for you the opportunity to demonstrate your MBA program outcomes in these ways: Planning and executing the strategic and tactical elements of a comprehensive project. Integrating and demonstrating the business leadership skills and techniques you have learned throughout the MBA program and your own growth as a business leader. Communicating your analysis and recommendations for a real organization both in written form and in a formal presentation. Completing your MBA program with an experience that reinforces what you have learned throughout your MBA program. Instructions For complete details, refer to the MBA Capstone Project Description [PDF] and scoring guide. Your capstone project should address these expectations: Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Integrate information across disciplines from differing perspectives. Develop logical, well-supported, evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities. Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning. Apply leadership and collaboration principles and strategies for virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions. Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment. Additional Expectations Include an executive summary following your cover page. Include various body sections that contain the analysis and recommendations. Include a conclusion that summarizes main points of the paper. As an MBA student, you have access to a free subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Take advantage of that subscription, and do some of your research in the Wall Street Journal. Try to include at least one source from the Wall Street Journal in your final draft. Submission Requirements Your assessment should also meet the following requirements: Style: Your paper should follow the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines (available in the MBA Program Resources), including single-spaced paragraphs. Use a professional writing style. Communication: Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message and quality. APA guidelines: Format your citations according to current APA style. Resources: Use at least six citations from credible sources. Length: Your paper should be 15–20 pages, not including front and back matter (cover page, executive summary, table of contents, references, appendices). Papers that do not meet this minimum will be immediately returned for revision. Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point. ePortfolio You should consider adding this to your ePortfolio and personal portfolio. Your completion of this comprehensive capstone project demonstrates your ability to identify a problem or opportunity to be researched, analyze the data, apply your own leadership abilities to suggest solutions, and then present your analysis and conclusions in a credible way. This key program deliverable will be an invaluable part of your portfolio. Competencies Measured By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria: Competency 1: Apply foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Apply foundational knowledge and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Competency 2: Integrate information across disciplines and from differing perspectives. Integrate most relevant supportive and conflicting information (data, insights, best practices) across disciplines from differing primary functional perspectives individually and holistically. Competency 3: Think critically and analytically to provide evidence-based solutions to business challenges and opportunities. Develop logical, well-supported solutions based on relevant, sound, logical, and credible evidence (data, insights, analyses, best practices) to solve business challenges and opportunities. Competency 4: Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning. Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable (long-term) approaches to business practice and planning. Competency 5: Lead and collaborate in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Apply leadership and collaboration principles and strategies for virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Competency 6: Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions. Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions by assessing ethical implications and resolving ethical conflicts and dilemmas. Competency 7: Communicate clearly and effectively in a business environment. Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a business professional. Scoring Guide Use the scoring guide to understand how your assessment will be evaluated. Collapse All Criterion 1 Apply foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Distinguished Applies a balance of theoretical and practical foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and an in-depth understanding of a full range of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Justifies approach to integrating foundational knowledge, business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Proficient Applies foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and an understanding of business systems, processes, and technology within and across core disciplines. Basic Applies fundamental, practical foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and a functional understanding of a limited set of business systems, processes, and technology within but not across core disciplines. Non Performance References but does not apply fundamental, practical foundational knowledge (theories, models, practices) and a functional understanding of business systems, processes, and technology. Criterion 2 Integrate most relevant supportive and conflicting information (data, insights, best practices) across disciplines from differing primary functional perspectives individually and holistically. Distinguished Evaluates supportive and conflicting information (data, insights, best practices) integrating insights across disciplines from multiple diverse functional and strategic perspectives individually and holistically. Proficient Integrates most relevant supportive and conflicting information (data, insights, best practices) across disciplines from differing primary functional perspectives individually and holistically. Basic Analyzes but does not integrate limited information (data, insights, best practices) across disciplines from few differing primary functional perspectives individually but not holistically. Non Performance Analyzes information from a singular discipline or perspective or poorly analyzes information across disciplines from few differing primary functional perspectives. Criterion 3 Develop logical, well-supported solutions based on relevant, sound, logical, and credible evidence (data, insights, analyses, best practices) to solve business challenges and opportunities. Distinguished Develops logical, well-supported solutions based on relevant, sound, logical, and credible evidence (data, insights, analyses, best practices) to systematically solve business challenges and opportunities relevant to all applicable stakeholders and cross-functional departments. Proficient Develops logical, well-supported solutions based on relevant, sound, logical, and credible evidence (data, insights, analyses, best practices) to solve business challenges and opportunities. Basic Develops unsupported (emotional testimonials, anecdotes, or lacking in evidence) solutions or solutions that are not logically connected to business challenges and opportunities. Non Performance Develops unsupported (emotional testimonials, anecdotes, or lacking in evidence) solutions and solutions that are not logically connected to business challenges and opportunities. Criterion 4 Apply innovative, strategic, and sustainable (long-term) approaches to business practice and planning. Distinguished Integrates and justifies innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning that appropriately challenge the status quo while recognizing change management implications. Proficient Applies innovative, strategic, and sustainable (long-term) approaches to business practice and planning. Basic Applies some elements of innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning. Non Performance Does not apply or poorly applies elements of innovative, strategic, and sustainable approaches to business practice and planning. Criterion 5 Apply leadership and collaboration principles and strategies for virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Distinguished Assesses leadership and collaboration principles, strategies, and opportunities in virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments and integrates flexible perspectives and collaborative approaches in business. Proficient Applies leadership and collaboration principles and strategies for virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Basic Describes leadership and collaboration principles and strategies that may or may not be appropriate to virtual, global, and culturally diverse environments. Non Performance Does not describe or poorly describes leadership or collaboration strategies. Criterion 6 Integrate principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions by assessing ethical implications and resolving ethical conflicts and dilemmas. Distinguished Integrates principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions by assessing ethical implications, resolving ethical conflicts and dilemmas, and making right and just decisions for the organization and the larger business community. Proficient Integrates principles of ethics and integrity into business decisions by assessing ethical implications and resolving ethical conflicts and dilemmas. Basic Assesses principles of ethics and integrity by analyzing ethical implications but may overlook important ethical considerations. Non Performance Does not assess or poorly assesses principles of ethics and integrity. Criterion 7 Write coh
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