Project Assignment
Overview
The project for this course is the creation of a strategic communication case study.
Effective communication skills are critical to success in almost all managerial positions. Several challenges exist surrounding the creation and implementation of effective communications both internally (inside organizations between individuals and groups) and externally (outside organizations with markets, partners, and other third parties). Technology, change, and the various needs of stakeholders are just a few of the concerns that impact business communications. This course is designed to help you communicate effectively in a variety of business settings with both internal and external stakeholders. Effective communication is a necessary tool for managing people and organizations.
In this project, you will enhance your skills and knowledge of techniques in various communications to lead change, develop and maintain relationships, and address sources of conflict through effective communications tied to organizational goals and core visions. Through the development of a strategic communication case study, you will gain comprehensive, hands-on experience in evaluating and constructing communications that inform, persuade, and influence intended audiences in order to achieve strategic goals. Using the provided case study, you will identify issues that must be addressed from an organizational perspective. Additionally, you will make informed decisions regarding what actions to take, paying particular attention to appropriateness of communications and mediums, as well as evaluating effectiveness. To access the project case study, "Research in Motion: Sincerely, a RIM Employee (A)," refer to the MGT-550 Textbook/Case Study Bundle mentioned in the syllabus.
The project is divided into three milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three, Five, and Seven. The product will be submitted in Module Nine.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:
• Differentiate appropriate communication strategies that address a variety of audiences
• Generate clear communication materials that promote strategic goals
• Develop communications using change management principles for supporting employee development
• Determine strategies to assess the reception of communication for informing appropriate next steps
• Analyze sources of conflict for determining appropriate communication response techniques for internal and external stakeholders
Prompt
Your strategic communication case study should answer the following prompt: What messages should be communicated in response to the presented issue, who are the target audiences of the messages, and how will the messages be delivered? Additionally, how will you evaluate the effectiveness of your communication decisions in order to inform future decision making?
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Introduction
A. Establish context for your paper by summarizing the important details of the case and outlining the specific problem(s) that you will address.
B. In response to the presented issue, define clear and specific communication goals. Who are your target audiences and what do you want to accomplish with your communication?
II. Internal Communication
A. Determine the medium(s) that you will use to deliver your message and explain how you made this decision.
B. Define the target audience of your internal communication. Include key factors and any cultural factors about this audience that you considered.
C. Craft the message that you will communicate internally and explain what change management principles you considered when developing this message.
D. Explain how you considered the personal needs and development of employees when creating messaging.
E. Explain what considerations are being made in order to offer continuous support to employees through the change process.
F. Identify potential sources of conflict that may arise as a result of your internal communication. Consider the message you are communicating as well as the medium(s) used.
III. External Communication
A. Determine the medium(s) that you will use to deliver your message and explain how you made this decision.
B. Define the target audience of your external communication. Include key factors and any cultural factors about this audience that you considered.
C. Craft the message that you will communicate externally and defend how the message promotes the organization's strategic goals.
D. Identify potential sources of conflict that may arise as a result of your external communication. Consider the message you are communicating, as well as the medium(s) used.
IV. Follow Up
A. Explain how your message and delivery decisions align with the mission, vision, and goals of the organization.
B. Describe how you will monitor and measure how the information was received and interpreted by your internal audience.
C. Describe how you will monitor and measure how the information was received and interpreted by your external audience.
D. Explain how you will document the lessons learned from your communication plan to inform future decision making. What would you have done differently?
Milestones
Milestone One: Draft of Introduction
In Module Three, you will submit a draft of the introduction to your case study. Define the problem you identified in the case and begin to develop a plan to address the problem using internal and external communications. Furthermore, prioritize the first steps in the process of addressing the problem and set goals for your communication.
Milestone Two: Draft of Internal Communication
In Module Five, you will submit a draft of your internal communication. Craft the internal message that you will use to address the problem you identified in the case study provided. In doing so, you will specify the mediums you will use to deliver the message, explain why these mediums are important, and outline the target audience. Furthermore, you will explain how you factored in the personal needs and development of employees when creating messaging, including the considerations being made to support employees through the change process that will be implemented to address the problem. Finally, identify potential sources of conflict that may arise as a result of your external communication. Consider the message you are communicating as well as the medium(s) used.
Milestone Three: Draft of External Communication
In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of your external communication. Craft the external message that you will use to address the problem you identified in the case study provided. In doing so, you will specify the mediums you will use to deliver the message, explain why these mediums are important, and outline the target audience. Furthermore, you will explain how the message promotes the organization's strategic goals. Finally, identify potential sources of conflict that may arise as a result of your external communication. Consider the message you are communicating as well as the medium(s) used.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.