For your Unit 2 Assignment, you will select a topic or area that will be the focus of your course project and discussion. You will choose your program and provide a rationale to support the ‘sale’ of your program to decision makers. You will include:
APA formatted title page.
Appropriate background information of program choice.
Rationale title and summary.
Content of the rationale, including how you will collect data to identify needs,
In-text citations to support your rationale and statements.
APA formatted reference page.
Your rationale, of course, is prepared after the pre-planning phase has occurred. By this point, you should have a good idea what the problem is that your program will address and what the desired outcomes are that you want to achieve.)
Your rationale should provide a clarity around how your program will help key decision makers achieve the organization’s goals.
Follow the steps outlined in the text:
Identify Appropriate Background Information
What is the problem? (You will explain how you know this is a problem by presenting evidence. You will get this evidence in part from your literature search. Also, some details, for this assignment, you will need to make-up to create the background for your project. This means creating context (i.e., What is the specific problem for the specific priority population? What is the status of the problem/health concern currently? What are the desired outcomes for your program? How will the outcomes help the key decision makers to achieve their business goals? How will the program make a difference and serve to protect and preserve the priority population?). You should not make up facts. You should get your facts from your literature search. If you have questions, let me know.
What has worked in the past or in other organizations to reduce the problem?
Who is the program meant to serve (this is part of the context you are providing for your program and should identify your priority population)?
Explain how you will complete your needs assessment. What methods will you use to collect your data for analysis?
Title your rationale
The format for your title is simple as stated in the text (p. 28); however, the words you choose are critical because you want key decision makers to read it. Remember, the top-level decision makers are extremely busy and many papers come across their desk. You want your title to be specific, to the point and at the same time grab their attention.
Writing the Content of the Rationale
Your first paragraph or two should address the identified problem globally.
Next, identify the problem statement for your problem
Why is it a problem
Why must it be addressed
Include data to support the problem statement from the literature search
Propose the solution (your program)
Name and purpose of the program
General overview of the program
Explain why the program will be successful
What are the results of evidence-based practice, if applicable?
What similar programs exist for similar priority populations? Discuss their success.
Explain why this is the right time to solve for the problem
Listing the References Used to Create the Rationale
Use APA formatting and guidelines to create a References page
Use in-text citations
Remember, this is a formal paper. It should be submitted in a Word document using APA guidelines. Make sure you proofread for grammar, spelling and other mechanical errors. I strongly urge you to use Grammarly to assist in proofreading. Grammar and mechanical errors will impact your grade. This might seem picky but key decision makers will not waste their time reading sloppy or ill-written proposals. You don’t want your program to fail because your proposal was never read!
