Problems of Practice Case Study

Analyze the case, Leading Change Through Unprecedented Times: Nancy Sims and the Robert A. Toigo Foundation, using the provided project template.

Introduction

The Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) (n.d.) has defined a problem of practice as "a persistent, contextualized, and specific issue embedded in the work of a professional practitioner, the addressing of which has the potential to result in improved understanding, experience, and outcomes."

One theme that abounds in current leadership literature is the redefining of leadership and the skills required to navigate and lead in disruptive environments rife with problems of practice and often directly connected to the relentless cadences of data and information. Effective leaders are increasingly expected to be consumers of large volumes of data, often being released at unprecedented velocity, in a variety of different forms, with tremendous variability and complexity (SAS, n.d.).

References

Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate. (n.d.). The framework.  https://www.cpedinitiative.org/page/framework

SAS. (n.d.). Big data: What it is and why it matters. SAS Insights. https://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/big-data/what-is-big-data.html

Preparation

Read the following case study:

• Altman, B. W., & Vitucci, S. S. (2015). Constituent building to form a new university and promote regional economic development. Journal of Case Studies, 33(1), 59–70.

As you read the case study, watch for habits of mind that you see at work for the Central Texas University task force. Think about whether existing habits should be reinforced and if there any absent that you judge would be beneficial for the LTG and stakeholders to embrace. The other element of the case study you will want to pay special attention to is how data can be used to define and address the problem of practice.

Instructions

For your assessment this week, complete the following sections of the Problems of Practice Template [DOCX]:

• Part 1: Foundation Description and Problem Identification.
• Part 2: Diagramming and Application of Systems Thinking Concepts.
• Part 3: Diagramming and Communication of Existing Data.
  • What is the evidence?
• Part 4: Data Collection Plan.

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies:

• Competency 1: Use systems thinking to evaluate problems of practice and opportunities for improvement.
  • Provide a background narrative of relevant information for Part 1 including, site information, the purpose of the foundation, the stakeholders and participants, existing data, missing data, Foundation goals/objectives, mission, and vision are clearly identified and stated. 
  • Provide an initial clear single problem statement that is void of causes and/or solutions that have not yet been implemented.
• Competency 4: Apply critical thinking skills and habits of mind to analyze problems of practice.
  • Provide an alignment of Foundation information with systems thinking concepts. Diagrams/maps of the dynamics and tensions related to the problem illustrate an understanding of system concepts at work in the Foundation. 
  • Design questions that will be used to complete missing data. 
  • Provide methods for collecting missing data that align with questions that have a high probability of successfully answering questions with the specific data needed.
  • Identify probable sources of data.
• Competency 5: Communicate effectively for a given purpose and audience.
  • Provide 3 or 4 descriptive figures and charts to display existing data, and include an explanation of trends and projections resulting from the analysis.
  • Create a narrative that includes an explanation of how data collected will be expected to provide answers to questions. 
  • Communicate clearly, supporting a central idea with appropriately formatted citations and correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.