Create an Innovation (Benchmark Assignment)  1 Unsatisfactory 0.00% 2 Less than Satisfactory 65.00% 3 Satisfactory 75.00% 4 Good 85.00% 5 Excellent 100.00% 70.0 %Content 10.0 %Problem the Innovation Targets There is no description of the problem included. The description identifies the problem targeted, but does not provide a clear scope of the problem; the stakeholder's impacted, or the impact within the organization. The description identifies the problem targeted and the scope of the problem. There are some details included, but little discussion relating to the stakeholder's affected and the impact within the organization. The description identifies the problem targeted and the scope of the problem. There is a detailed discussion relating to the stakeholder's affected and the impact within the organization. The description identifies the problem targeted and provides a thorough justification relating to the scope of the problem. The explanation regarding the stakeholder's impacted by the problem differentiates between those impacted within the organization and those outside of the organization. 10.0 %Innovation The innovation description is missing or does not address the problem and potential solution. The innovation description is unclear or underdeveloped. There is no indication on how the innovation will address the problem or meet the needs of the organization. The description adequately describes the innovation. There is minimal explanation for how the innovation addresses the problem and the improvements it presents to meet the needs of the organization and stakeholders. The description clearly describes the innovation. There is an explanation for how the innovation addresses the problem, including affects the innovation will have in the organization. It incorporates how the innovation meets the needs of the organization within, but few details on stakeholders outside of the organization. The description thoroughly communicates the targeted problem, and the innovation identified for the given problem. There is an explanation for how the innovation addresses the problem, including affects the innovation will have within and outside the organization. It incorporates how the innovation meets the needs of the organization within, and all stakeholders associated with the organization. 10.0 %Competitive Advantage The description does not include competitive advantage. The description indicating how the innovation contributes to the organization's competitive advantage is unclear or underdeveloped. The description adequately indicates how the innovation contributes to the organization's competitive advantage. The description indicates how the innovation contributes to the organization's competitive advantage and provides details to explain this advantage. The description indicates how the innovation contributes to the organization's competitive advantage, and provides a thorough explanation of the organization?s advantages. 15.0 %Imp.

1. Create an Innovation (Benchmark Assignment)
1
Unsatisfactory
0.00%
2
Less than Satisfactory
65.00%
3
Satisfactory
75.00%
4
Good
85.00%
5
Excellent
100.00%
70.0 %Content
10.0 %Problem the Innovation Targets
There is no description of the problem included.
The description identifies the problem targeted, but does not
provide a clear scope of the problem; the stakeholder's
impacted, or the impact within the organization.
The description identifies the problem targeted and the scope of
the problem. There are some details included, but little
discussion relating to the stakeholder's affected and the impact
within the organization.
The description identifies the problem targeted and the scope of
the problem. There is a detailed discussion relating to the
stakeholder's affected and the impact within the organization.
The description identifies the problem targeted and provides a
thorough justification relating to the scope of the problem. The
explanation regarding the stakeholder's impacted by the problem

2. differentiates between those impacted within the organization
and those outside of the organization.
10.0 %Innovation
The innovation description is missing or does not address the
problem and potential solution.
The innovation description is unclear or underdeveloped. There
is no indication on how the innovation will address the problem
or meet the needs of the organization.
The description adequately describes the innovation. There is
minimal explanation for how the innovation addresses the
problem and the improvements it presents to meet the needs of
the organization and stakeholders.
The description clearly describes the innovation. There is an
explanation for how the innovation addresses the problem,
including affects the innovation will have in the organization. It
incorporates how the innovation meets the needs of the
organization within, but few details on stakeholders outside of
the organization.
The description thoroughly communicates the targeted problem,
and the innovation identified for the given problem. There is an
explanation for how the innovation addresses the problem,
including affects the innovation will have within and outside the
organization. It incorporates how the innovation meets the
needs of the organization within, and all stakeholders associated
with the organization.
10.0 %Competitive Advantage
The description does not include competitive advantage.
The description indicating how the innovation contributes to the
organization's competitive advantage is unclear or
underdeveloped.
The description adequately indicates how the innovation
contributes to the organization's competitive advantage.
The description indicates how the innovation contributes to the
organization's competitive advantage and provides details to

3. explain this advantage.
The description indicates how the innovation contributes to the
organization's competitive advantage, and provides a thorough
explanation of the organization?s advantages.
15.0 %Implementation Plan
No implementation plan is included.
The implementation plan is included, but is underdeveloped or
unclear.
The implementation plan is included but minimally addresses
the diffusion strategy and potential obstacles for implementing
the innovation.
The implementation plan is included and provides details
addressing the diffusion strategy and potential obstacles for
implementing the innovation.
The implementation plan is included and thoroughly addresses
the diffusion strategy and potential obstacles, including people
and processes for implementing the innovation.
15.0 %Measuring the Impact of Innovation
No method for measuring impact of innovation or explanation is
included.
A method for measuring the impact of the innovation is
included, but an explanation is unclear or underdeveloped.
A method for measuring the impact of the innovation is
included. There is an explanation for how the method will
measure the impact, but there are few details on the impact it
will have on the organization.
A method for measuring the impact of the innovation is
included. There is a clear description for how the innovation
will impact the organization.
A method for measuring the impact of the innovation is
included. The description includes justification for why the
method is most appropriate. There is a clear description for how
the innovation will impact the organization.

4. 10.0 %Recommendations for Improvements
No recommendations for improvements are included.
Recommendations for improvements are included, but are
unclear or underdeveloped.
Some recommendations for additional improvements are
included, but they lack a detailed plan for sustaining momentum
within the organization.
Recommendations for additional improvements are included.
There is evidence of a plan to sustain long-term momentum
within an organization.
Detailed recommendations for additional improvements are
included. There is a thorough plan to sustain long-term
momentum within an organization.
20.0 %Organization and Effectiveness
6.0 %Thesis Development and Purpose
Paper lacks any discernible overall purpose or organizing claim.
Thesis and/or main claim are insufficiently developed and/or
vague; purpose is not clear.
Thesis and/or main claim are apparent and appropriate to
purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are clear and forecast the development
of the paper. It is descriptive and reflective of the arguments
and appropriate to the purpose.
Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive; contained within
the thesis is the essence of the paper. Thesis statement makes
the purpose of the paper clear.
7.0 %Paragraph Development and Transitions
Paragraphs and transitions consistently lack unity and
coherence. No apparent connections between paragraphs are
established. Transitions are inappropriate to purpose and scope.
Organization is disjointed.
Some paragraphs and transitions may lack logical progression of
ideas, unity, coherence, and/or cohesiveness. Some degree of

5. organization is evident.
Paragraphs are generally competent, but ideas may show some
inconsistency in organization and/or in their relationships to
each other.
A logical progression of ideas between paragraphs is apparent.
Paragraphs exhibit a unity, coherence, and cohesiveness. Topic
sentences and concluding remarks are appropriate to purpose.
There is a sophisticated construction of paragraphs and
transitions. Ideas progress and relate to each other. Paragraph
and transition construction guide the reader. Paragraph structure
is seamless.
7.0 %Mechanics of Writing (includes spelling, punctuation,
grammar, language use)
Surface errors are pervasive enough that they impede
communication of meaning. Inappropriate word choice and/or
sentence construction are used.
Frequent and repetitive mechanical errors distract the reader.
Inconsistencies in language choice (register) and/or word choice
are present. Sentence structure is correct but not varied.
Some mechanical errors or typos are present, but are not overly
distracting to the reader. Correct and varied sentence structure
and audience-appropriate language are employed.
Prose is largely free of mechanical errors, although a few may
be present. The writer uses a variety of effective sentence
structures and figures of speech.
Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic
English.
10.0 %Format
5.0 %Paper Format (use of appropriate style for the major and
assignment)
GCU template is not used appropriately or documentation
format is rarely followed correctly.
GCU template is used, but some elements are missing or

6. mistaken; lack of control with formatting is apparent.
GCU template is used, and formatting is correct, although some
minor errors may be present.
GCU template is fully used; There are virtually no errors in
formatting style.
All format elements are correct.
5.0 %Research Citations (in-text citations for paraphrasing and
direct quotes, and reference page listing and formatting, as
appropriate to assignment)
No reference page is included. No citations are used.
Reference page is present. Citations are inconsistently used.
Reference page is included and lists sources used in the paper.
Sources are appropriately documented, although some errors
may be present.
Reference page is present and fully inclusive of all cited
sources. Documentation is appropriate and GCU style is usually
correct.
In-text citations and a reference page are complete. The
documentation of cited sources is free of error.
100 %Total Weightage
Create an Innovation (Benchmark Assignment)
Details:
Evaluate the internal processes or strategies within an
organization in which you are involved, such as your workplace,
school, church, or community group, in order to identify a
problem that provides an opportunity for innovation. Then,
determine an innovative solution for addressing that problem.
Examples of potential solutions are entering a new market,
implementing a new practice or process, or even changing
management structures. The ultimate goal of your solution

7. should be to increase the diffusion of innovation within the
organization and contribute to a culture that appreciates
innovation as a key to competitive advantage and organizational
success.
Though your final paper will not be due until the end of the
course, you should identify your problem and generate potential
solutions early on. Begin drafting your implementation plan in
stages as you work through the course topics. As with your CLC
project, you should research and select a model for evaluating
both the feasibility of your idea and the implementation plan.
1. Describe the problem your innovation targets. What is the
scope of the problem and which stakeholders, both within the
organization and without, does it impact?
2. Describe your innovation and explain how it addresses the
problem. How will it meet the needs of the organization and all
stakeholders involved?
3. How does the innovation contribute to the organization’s
competitive advantage?
4. Develop an implementation plan for effectively diffusing the
innovation within the organization. Make sure the plan
addresses potential resistance and obstacles, including people
and processes.
5. Identify an appropriate method that could be used for
measuring the impact of the innovation on the organization.
Explain why you think this is a relevant measure.
6. Finally, assume your innovation is adopted by the
organization. Make recommendations for additional
improvements within in this organization (in processes,
practices, structures, etc.) that could create and sustain
momentum for innovation.
Include at least eight in-text citations from at least five
secondary resources from your research.