Analysis of the Planning Process in the HCZ Case Study

Analysis of the Planning Process in the HCZ Case Study

Capella University

Analysis of the Planning Process in the HCZ Case Study

This paper analyzes the planning process of the Harlem Children’s Home case study. The paper demonstrates how the case can be examined through the lens of the ARPP model and through the characteristics of action research. The paper then considers the ways through which being a cooperative project between local government and education affected the planning process.

Approaching the Planning through ARPP Model

In reference to Reason & Bradbury (2008), the ARPP model and the characteristics of Action research approaches projects in three stages. The HCZ case study is one such project that can be undertaken in the three phases of a project planning through action research. The first three steps of action research include (1) identifying an issue or topic to study, (2) collecting data related to the identified issue, and (3) analyzing and interpreting the collected data. These steps are then followed by implementation of the identified improvement. The ARPP will ensure that the steps are participatory and involves and or considers all the stakeholders of the organization.

In the ARPP model, the issues that the organization want to see improvement in will be identified first, with reasons as to why they should be improved. This stage will also identify the impacts that the improvement will have in the organization. Action researcher must base its deductions on the best data. This is accomplished using valid and reliable data. The data must prove confidence in its information and how it aligns with the unique characteristics of their area of focus to bring the needed improvement (Rowell, Riel &Polush, 2016).

Like other research types, action research in the planning of the HCZ will engage data analysis. However, data analysis in action research must ensure that there is an improvement. Most AR data are qualitative such as a case study. Thus, data analysis must be qualitative. Through data analysis and improvement, and with stakeholder inclusion, the project planning and implementation is expected to be smooth. The project will realize the planned outcomes (Rowell, Riel &Polush, 2016).

The ARPP model will offer service evaluation and improvement to the project planning through action research. Using action research or inquiry approaches to practice the project will be able to plan to bring about improvements in the organization’s service design and delivery. Monitoring and Evaluation of services including public service using appreciative inquiry, systems thinking, participatory appraisal and whole systems action research inquiry and inquiry will be used in the planning and execution of the project. The ARPP will also use service user experiences to focus the inquiry into improvement of service (Reason & Bradbury, 2008).

How being a cooperative project affected the planning process

The HCZ is a cooperative between the local government and education. This means that the local government is not only a key stakeholder in the project but also a highly placed partner. Being a partner and a key stakeholders, the local government has a place in the board of the organization making it one of the executive sponsors of the project. Thus, the local government plays three key roles in the organization in the planning of the project (Rowell, Riel &Polush, 2016).

As a stakeholder in the organization, the local government plays the oversight role in the planning of the project. Thus, the government can negotiate its need in the project or make the project better. As a partner it is involved with offering resources to the project and the organization. Aspects like security and utilities like electricity and water are function of the local government. The planning of the project and its execution is much dependent on these elements of the society. As a partner in the organization, and an executive sponsor of the project, the local government plays an important role in strategic planning. It must recommend every plan for it to be executed being that the plans have direct influence on the citizens (Reason & Bradbury, 2008).

Other than the oversight and strategic role, the local government also plays an important role in policy development. The organization must cooperate with the local government and its regulations, including policies, when planning the project. In this way, the local government has an indirect impact on the planning of the project. Thus, the government must ensure that the organization adhered all the laid out rules and regulations while planning the project. Additionally, the local government has a special place in the success of the project because of its ability to shut it down or encourage its success (Rowell, Riel &Polush, 2016).

In conclusion, the ARPP model will offer service evaluation and improvement to the project planning through action research. Thus, the planning must undergo the three steps of action research before implementation including (a) identifying an issue, (b) collecting data and (3) analyzing and interpretation of the data. In all these steps, the local government plays an important role as a stakeholder and a partner in the organization, as well as an executive sponsor of the project. Hence the government has a strategic role in the planning of the project.

References

Reason, Peter & Bradbury, Hilary (Eds.) (2008). Action research: Participative inquiry and practice (second edition). London: Sage.

Rowell, L., Riel, M., Polush, E. (2016). Defining action research: Situating diverse practices within varying frames of inquiry, science and action.