Building Learning Organizations

Due: Signature Assignment BY EXPANDING ON YOUR EARLIER PAPER
Length: 10 double-spaced pages (excluding title and reference pages)

Building Learning Organizations Paper Guidelines
Prepare and submit a 10-page paper that discusses strategies to build a learning organization in a specific team or department. The paper consists of two parts;
1. As a case analysis, identify a challenge a specific organization that is not a learning organization faces; diagnose the issue by describing the impact of one or more system archetypes, and one or more learning disabilities.
2. Recommend a plan to build a learning organization in the specific organization described in the case analysis by applying each of Senge’s five disciplines.

You can restate your thoughts in this paper but remember to build on you earlier paper

The paper must adhere to APA standards and cite five or more scholarly sources including three peer-reviewed journal articles. In addition to the journal articles, you may use course textbooks and additional scholarly sources as appropriate.

Senge, P. et al. (1994). The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization. Doubleday
Senge, P.M. (2006). The fifth discipline: The art and practice of the learning organization. New York: Currency.

Part I: Case Analysis
Select an organization that is currently not a learning organization in which one or more system archetypes and learning disabilities are evident; the case analysis works best when you select a team or department with which you are familiar. For example, rather than selecting the entire military, focus on the specific unit where you are (or were) assigned.

Briefly describe the organization, identifying a specific problem or challenge that exists. Diagnose the problem by describing one or more system archetypes, and one or more learning disabilities that impact it. Your analysis must include theoretical definitions of the selected system archetype and learning disability as well as a description of how each affects the problem or challenge in this organization (4 pages).

Part II: Recommendations and Action Plan
For the organization discussed in the Case Analysis, recommend an action plan to transform it into a learning organization. The action plan must include one or more specific activities for each of the five disciplines that could be utilized over time to create positive change with the organization; these activities may come from The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook or other academic sources. For example, in preparing a recommendation for systems thinking, begin by identifying leverage point(s) for change for the system archetype(s) discussed in the case analysis, and then discuss strategies to address it (4 pages).

Criteria Exemplary Proficient Developing Emerging
Content Accuracy re: System Theory/Concepts/Models 90
All content throughout the paper is accurate. Clearly uses terminology associated with systems principles and archetypes.
Contains all of the elements listed in the course syllabus. 77
Most of the content is accurate. Uses terminology associated with system principles and archetypes. Contains most of the elements listed in the course syllabus. 65
The content is generally accurate.
Uses some terminology associated with system principles and archetypes. Two or three elements of
course syllabus are missing 54
The content is confusing or contains more than two factual errors. Uses little terminology associated with system principles. Major elements from course
syllabus are missing.

Application of Systems Theory/Concepts/Models 90

Consistently applies and integrates all five of Senge’s disciplines and learning disabilities to diagnose an organizational challenge.
Identifies specific activities to build a learning organization.
Identifies the systemic nature of an organizational challenge. Clearly identifies leverage point associated with system archetype. 77

Somewhat demonstrates appropriate identification and application of Senge’s learning disabilities and five disciplines to diagnosis of an organizational challenge.
Identifies 2 – 3 activities for building a learning organization.
Limited, if any, discussion of the systemic nature of an organizational problem. System archetype or leverage point is not clear.
. 65

Demonstrates a narrow understanding and application of Senge’s learning disabilities and five disciplines.
Only one activity is identified to build a learning organization. Fails to identify systemic nature of organizational challenge.
Missing clear identification of a system archetype. 54

Significant errors in the identification and application of Senge five disciplines or learning disabilities. No activities are identified for building a learning organization.
Does not address the systemic nature of the organizational challenge. No system archetype identified.
Critical Analysis 90
Clearly identifies specific actions to apply the Senge material to their personal leadership development.
Critically analyzes several specific methods for improving organizations
using material from course. 77
Somewhat identifies application of Senge material to their personal leadership development.
Vague analysis of methods for building learning organizations using materials from the course. 65
Limited, if any, application of Senge materials to their personal leadership development.
Little analysis of materials from course. 54
Missing application of materials to personal leadership development. No critical analysis of course material.
Use of Sources 30
Uses 5 or more scholarly sources to support conclusions and recommendations. Consistently uses sources to connect theory to application. The work of others is correctly cited. 26
Use 4 scholarly sources to support conclusions and recommendations. Often uses sources to connect theory to application. The work of others is correctly cited with minor errors. 22
Use 3 scholarly sources to support conclusions and recommendations. Somewhat uses sources to connect theory to application. The work of others is cited but with numerous errors. 18
Use 2 or less sources to support conclusions and recommendations. Limited if any use of sources to connect theory to application. The work of others may
not be cited and/or with multiple errors.

Writing Mechanics and APA 50
The paper is logical, well-written, and the required length. 43
The paper is logical, well-written, and is the required length. 38
The paper is somewhat logical and well-written; 30
The paper lacks clarity and may be confusing; may be

Uses style, form and Uses style, form and may be 10% too 15% too long or
language language long or short. Style, short. Numerous
appropriate for appropriate for form and language errors in spelling,
graduate level graduate level work. are appropriate for grammar and/or
academic work. APA Minor errors in general wring. punctuation,
formatting standards spelling, grammar Some errors in inappropriate style
are followed; and/or punctuation. spelling, grammar for graduate level
citations and APA standards are and/or punctuation. work. Limited if any
reference page is followed with a few APA standards are adherence to APA
correct. minor errors. somewhat followed standards.
but with numerous
errors.