Running head PART 1 PROJECT 1 PART 1 PROJECT2Part 1 Project.docx

Running head: PART 1 PROJECT 1
PART 1 PROJECT 2Part 1 ProjectName of your Action
Research ProjectYour NameKaplan UniversityGM505 Action
Research and Consulting SkillsProfessor Name HereDate
Part 1 Project (this should be same as header name)
Write a paragraph or two introducing the contents of the paper
here. Indent the first line of each new paragraph 1/2” and use
only double line spacing with 0 pt. before and 0 pt. after
paragraphs for the entire paper and the References page. The
main body of the paper needs to be at least six pages and nine
pages are typical. Do not include the directions in your final
submission.
Scope and Purpose
Describe the background, scope and purpose of your action
research project. In this section you should explain the problem
and why the problem needs changing. You should include
application and citation of references.
Stakeholders
Identify and describe the stakeholders who are critical to the
success of your project and how their roles relate to it. Your
work on the Unit 2 Critical Mass Analysis Assignment will be
helpful for you in this section. You may use what you wrote in
the Unit 2 Critical Mass Analysis paper in this paper without
asking for permission to do so.
Appraisal and Involvement
Explain how you made your initial appraisal of the prospects of
doing your action research project (how and why you chose the
topic and your participants) and involved others in defining
what your project entails, and be specific.
Expectations
Explain how you set expectations with those who would be
impacted or involved, and state approximately when the results
will be available.

Plan to obtain data
Describe, specifically, your plan for when, where and from
whom you will obtain your action research data. Include chosen
data gathering methods, why you chose them and cite supportive
references. Describe how your skills as an action researcher
have been strengthened to assess organizational practices.
Laying the groundwork
Describe how you have started to lay the groundwork for using
the results of your research to make a difference.
Conclusion
Summarize what was previously written in the paper. No new
information should appear in this section.
References
You need to apply at least 3-5 references from quality academic
sources that speak to how you are doing this part of your action
research project. Never cite Wikipedia. Note: if anything is
listed here on the References page it also must be cited within
the body of the paper too. Do not add an extra line space
between entries. APA formatting is required. Here is how to
format our textbook using APA:
Stringer, E. T. (2014). Action research (4th ed.). Los Angeles,
CA: Sage Publications.
Appendix
Critical Mass Analysis
Include your Unit 2 Chart (and Negotiation Form if it was
applicable) but do not include the focus paper. (Copy and paste

the chart and negotiation form from your Unit 2 Critical Mass
Analysis Appendix here. You earn points!)
must be your own report.
One cover sheet followed by at least one paragraph
summarizing each article.
1. Technology enhanced infrastructure;
http://www.govtech.com/fs/infrastructure/How-Tech-Enhanced-
Infrastructure-Will-Promote-Equity-Transportation.html
2. Female steel design engineer;
http://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2017/05/10/youn
g-engineer-adds-bucks-arena-impressive-resume/101333880/
3. Golden Gate bridge: https://theconversation.com/how-would-
engineers-build-the-golden-gate-bridge-today-77846
4. Big Sur, California landslide;
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/stretch-of-iconic-california-
highway-buried-massive-landslide/
5. Energy from ocean waves; http://newatlas.com/wave-swell-
energy-interview/49463/
6. Arizona dam;
http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2017/05/31/tempe-
town-lake-dam-replacement-gets-award.html
7. Chesapeake Bay tunnel bridge;
http://www.businessinsider.com/chesapeake-bay-bridge-tunnel-
construction-2017-6
8. Solar powered desalination plant;
http://newatlas.com/scalable-solar-powered-desalination-
system/50121/
9. London tower fire; https://www.theguardian.com/uk-
news/2017/jun/15/cladding-in-2014-melbourne-high-rise-blaze-
also-used-in-grenfell-tower
10. Earthquake resistant buildings;
https://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/earthquake-resistant-
buildings/
11. Porous concrete; http://uk.businessinsider.com/thirsty-

concrete-yellowstone-national-park-2017-6?r=US&IR=T
must be your own report.
One sheet followed by at least one paragraph summarizing each
article.
12. X-ray detects concrete rebar corrosion;
http://www.machinedesign.com/materials/new-method-
detecting-corroding-concrete-could-pinpoint-crumbling-
infrastructure
13. Three state DOT’s using SMART technology;
http://www.govtech.com/transportation/3-State-Transportation-
Agencies-Turn-to-Smart-Technologies-to-Save-Time-Money-on-
Road-Projects.html
14. San Diego water project;
http://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2017/07/11/water-authority-
celebrates-award-for-worlds-top-civil-engineering-project/
15. Coastal protection;
http://www.nola.com/environment/index.ssf/2017/07/here_are_t
he_coastal_master_pl_1.html
16. 16. Polyester bridge;
17. http://www.kcra.com/article/repairs-begin-monday-night-on-
highway-50-bridge-in-sacramento/10283381
18. Steel plate girders, 145 ft. long;
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/ahwatukee/2017/07/
10/first-bridge-girders-placed-part-loop-202-freeway-
extension/466262001/
19. Bridge health monitoring;
http://www.rtands.com/index.php/track-structure/bridge-
retaining-walls/union-pacific-implementing-technology-to-
monitor-bridges.html
20. Sustainability; https://theconversation.com/the-next-step-in-
sustainable-design-bringing-the-weather-indoors-80126
21. Sidesway elevator;
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/07/can-a-
sideways-elevator-help-designers-build-taller-
skyscrapers/533544/

22. Zero to 70 mph in 5 seconds:
https://www.wired.com/story/hyperloop-one-test-success/
23. Seismic retrofit in Seattle;
http://www.king5.com/news/local/disaster/seattle-retrofits-
older-buildings-to-survive-the-big-one/456958833
24. 23. Restoring forest can help water infrastructure crisis;
25. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/restoring-us-forests-
can-help-solve-our-water-
infrastructure_us_5971268ee4b0f1feb89b424a
26. Floating concrete tunnels; http://maritime-
executive.com/blog/shock-testing-paves-the-way-for-floating-
tunnels
Unit 3 GM 505 Action Research and Consulting Skills
Page 1 of 3
Unit 3 Assignment 1: Details and Rubric
Action Research Project – Part 1
To review your Action Research Project progress and future
expectations: you now know that action
research emphasizes practical application and there is no better
way to cement knowledge and
understanding than by actually doing action research. You are
now ready to complete Part 1 of your
Action Research Project, which describes your plan and where
you are in your progress.

Course Assignment Overview – At this point in the course, you
have these following course
Assignments to complete:
– Part 1
In this Assignment, you will describe your action research plan
and progress to date.
Note: You will also participate in a class team Assignment this
unit which will allow you to look
at different data gathering methods for your overall project
(Two Data Gathering Methods).
Unit 4 Assignment 1: Action Research Project –
Responsibility Charting
In this Assignment, you will establish the roles of your inquiry
team members.
– Evaluation
Model Action Plan
PowerPoint Presentation
In this Assignment, you will formulate an evaluation model for
an action research project
– Part 2
It is virtually inevitable that as the project unfolds,
unanticipated issues and opportunities will arise

that will have to be addressed if your project is to be successful.
The result will be a project whose
scale and complexity will be anything but boring but still viable
within your timeframe. (If you have
reduced the scope and simplified your purpose to the point you
are sure you will be bored while doing
the project, you have gone too far.) Pursuing a project of this
nature will take you through, at a micro
level, all of the issues and concerns the class will address at a
more macro organizational level.
In this Assignment, you will be assessed on the following
outcome:
GM505-4: Assess organizational practices from an internal
action researcher's pers pective.
Assignment deliverables:
Write a 6–9 page paper (in addition to the Appendix, Cover
page, and References page) that
assesses organizational practices from an internal action
researcher’s perspective:
Page 2 of 3

1. Please utilize the already formatted “Unit 3 Action Research
Project- Part 1 Template” for
this Assignment.
2. Describe the scope and purpose of your project.
3. Determine who the stakeholders are that are critical to the
success of your project and how
their roles relate to it.
4. Justify how you made your initial appraisal of the prospects
of doing your action research and
involved others in defining what your project entails.
5. Explain how you set expectations with those who would be
impacted or involved as to what
information would be needed, and state approximately when
results will be available.
6. Identify your plan for when, where, and from whom you will
obtain your action research dat a.
7. Assess how you have started to lay the groundwork for using
the results of your research to
make a difference.
8. Include Appendix 1 that documents a Critical Mass Analysis
(Grid + Negotiation Form)
that the reader can use to better understand who the
stakeholders are and at what level they
are involved. (Note: Because this Appendix is mostly a table
with information in its cells, it is

not counted as part of the 6–9 pages required for this part of
your project report.)
9. Support your project with at least 3–5 references from quality
academic sources that
discuss your approach to your action research project.
10. W rite your paper using APA writing style and format. Your
sources and content should follow
proper APA format. Using the Kaplan W riting Center to review
papers prior to submitting
them for grading is highly recommended. Refer to the Academic
Tools tab to gain information
related to W riting Support. The W riting Center will provide
you with helpful tips on using the
APA style of writing.
11. Review the Rubric below to ensure all points have been
captured in the presentation.
Directions for Submitting Your Assignment:
Submit your paper to the Unit 3: Assignment 1: Action Research
Project – Part 1 Dropbox by
midnight ET Tuesday of this unit. Make sure that you save a
copy of the Assignment that you submit.
GM505 Unit 3: Assignment 1: Action Research Project – Part 1
Content and Analysis
Possible

Points
Points
Earned
Completed a 6–9 page paper (not including Critical Mass
Analysis
Appendix, Cover page, or References page) that identifies the
scope
and purpose of your project.
15
Identified who the stakeholders are that are critical to the
success of
your project and how their roles relate to it.
20
Explained how you made your initial appraisal of the prospects
of doing
your action research and involved others in defining what your
project
entails.
20
http://extmedia.kaplan.edu/business/GM505/1507D/Action_Res
earch_Part_1_Template.docx

of 3
Explained how you set expectations with those who would be
impacted
or involved as to what information would be needed,
approximately
when results will be available.
20
Detailed your plan for when, where, and from whom you will
obtain your
action research data.
20
Described how you have started to lay the groundwork for using
the
results of your research to make a difference. Describe how
your skills
as an action researcher have been strengthened to assess
organizational practices.
30
Included Appendix 1 that documents a Critical Mass Analysis
(the chart,
not the directions, not the Unit 2 focus paper) that the reader
can use to
better understand who the stakeholders are and at what level
they are

involved.
15
Writing Skills
Supported your project with 3–5 references from quality
academic
sources that speak to what how you are doing this part of your
action
research project.
15
Composition, grammar, clarity, and APA 6th style and
formatting. 15
LATE Paper Deduction -X
Total Points Earned 170
Grade/Percentage Earned 100%
Running head: CRITICAL MASS ANALYSIS 1
CRITICAL MASS ANALYSIS 2

Unit 2
Richard Hairston
Kaplan University
GM505 Action Research and Consulting Skills
Dr. Heidi Gregory-Mina
7/26/17
The critical mass analysis will be done to establish why it takes
so long to get an appointment within the primary care clinics at
Veterans Affairs (VA) medical treatment facility in Helena
Montana. For a long time, the veterans of this country have
really suffered from problems originating from the department
of veterans of affairs (Miller, 2012). I will access unlimited
sources in order investigate this problem thoroughly. The
medical support assistants will be my inquiry team since they
deal with the patients appointments. I will facilitate the
interaction with the veterans, to the doctors, to upper
management.
Roles and involvement
There are seven major stakeholders involved in this action
research project as indicated in the Critical Mass Grid
(Appendix). The main stakeholder in the affairs of the veterans

is not just the government, but it’s the Veteran seeking
treatment.. The Veteran is suffering from not being able to seek
medical treatment in a timely manner, and its limited to
healthcare opinions due expensive insurance plans (Miller,
2012).
The secondary stakeholder and inquiry team member is the
patient representative/ customer service rep personnel who are
always in direct contact with the veterans on a delay basis.
Medical Support Assistants, Nurses, doctors and community
care coordinators will take a major in this action research to
collaborate on the question at hand, and also find answers.
Their desired role as I see with this research project is where I
can accomplish most of my research with the inquiry team that
is placed within each perspective group.
Last stakeholder would the external facilities and organizations,
such as local treatment clinics, hospitals, and healthcare billing
offices that will be affected by change of business practices.
They will provide a crucial role in this research project as to
become part of the inquiry team to find the best possible
solution that will benefit the customers, and the organizations
involved in the treatment.
Application of Cultural Literacy
The stakeholders will be treated with respect and will be given
time to air their views and opinions. The stakeholders’
contributions will be accommodated irrespective of their
position or status. This will ensure that everyone feels
appreciated in this critical mass analysis. As such, this will
draw the commitment of the stakeholders to the process of
inquiry. In order to enhance the communication with the co-
workers, I relate well with my co-workers, I will ensure that I
mentored and coached them whenever the need be. All the
stakeholders involved in this project I had to ensure that they
have been coached and mentored so that they can yield better
results. As the team leader or the manager, I have to ensure that
I mentored and coached my co-workers to ensure they will yield
best results. Project managers understand and engage with

stakeholders on what is referred to as Highly Relational
Engagement (HRE).
People become productive when they have the freedom to
interact freely with their fellow team members (Emery, Calvard,
& Pierce, 2013). They would very part of the management when
they set targets on their own and strive in perfecting their work.
When the great results are achieved by the company in terms of
improve revenue and profitability, the team members will very
proud of their own efforts ad celebrate as a group.
To ensure this style is effective I would give the team members
the necessary resources as well as advice as and when needed.
The culture of involving employees in decision-making will
lead to higher job satisfaction and hence make them committed
to achieving the organizational goals and objectives (Emery,
Calvard, & Pierce, 2013). Further, the team members would
strive to give the best out of the ordinary in order to achieve
exceptional results. This can go a long way in promoting
creativity and innovation among the team members.
I would employ technology to ensure every participant in this
research is connected. Technology has today enabled us to
communicate and send messages very fast. There are a number
of technology-mediated communication ways such as email, cell
phone messages, instant messaging, video conferencing, etc. A
good example of video chat is Skype. Skype enables its users to
have conference calls as well as meetings with fellow workers
and clients across the world (Duncan, 2010). These video chats
make it possible for your meetings to have a feeling of personal
touch in that you can see your chat partner being close to you.
When starting a video chat, one should ensure that chat
software, webcam and internet connection are well set up. This
will reduce frustrations and impatience for everyone involved in
the video chat. In this case, you need to ensure that your
computer is connected with an internet cable to reduce chances
of wireless connection failure (John, 2012). In the above
activity, I employed technology to ensure that I brought very
participant on board. In addition, carry out chats in professional

environment such as tidy and organized room. Although, laptops
make it possible for one to have video chat nearly anywhere,
you ought not to be tempted to have a chat in certain places.
These include places such as restrooms or busy and loudly
environment such as a restaurant. This is because such places
result into unprofessional chats.
Reflection on Critical Mass Analysis Phase
I learned that working with multiple stakeholders requires a
person to be patient and tolerant. In other words, the
stakeholders have varying needs and wants and for this reason a
person coordinating them must balance their interests. It calls
for good leadership skills to achieve this goal. I also learned
that putting the information into a category or hierarchy takes
time, and it depends on how the information is disseminated
across the board. It’s like putting a puzzle together where you
decide to start with the boarders or do you start with a section
that you have the most continuity with. Overall, I got a picture
of how this research is going to need more personal involvement
with the stakeholders which means I will have to be willing to
go above and beyond the normal realm of typical Questions and
Answers type of research.
Conclusion
This paper sought to investigate why it takes so long to get an
appointment within the primary care clinics at Veterans Affairs
(VA) medical treatment facility in Helena Montana. The
stakeholders involved in this research were government,
veterans, medical personnel, and external facilities and
organizations, such as local treatment clinics, hospitals, and
healthcare billing offices that will be affected by change of
business practices.
Appendix
Critical Mass Grid
Action Research Project: Why does it take so long to get an
appointment within the primary care clinics at Veterans Affairs
(VA) medical treatment facility in Helena Montana?

Involvement
O = Current level
X = Desired level
Critical Mass Grid
ROLE:
Make it Happen
Help it Happen
Let it Happen
Not Involved
Name
Position
government
law
o
x
x
Hospitals
Healthcare facilities
x
o
o
Local clinics
Healthcare facilities
x

x
x
veterans
x
o
o
Customer service
Medical support assistant
x
x
o
Doctors
Medical support
x
x
o
Nurses
Medical assistant
x
x
o
Preparing to Negotiate: Key Ideas and Notes
Stakeholder: Name: Government
Position: law
Interests: Seeing that the patients are given proper care, law is
respected, and that the cost of offering services are affordable

to the patients
Options: the government working closely with the medical
facilities in ensuring there is conducive environment in doing
business. For example, proving infrastructures and security
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: Creating a public-
private partnership where the two parties share costs and benefit
mutually.
Self-Preparation: giving the other person a time to respond to
the questions by not interrupting during negotiation.
Relationship: The relationship will be a mutual one where there
will be a win-win situation. The relationship will be a long-term
to ensure that each of the players treat each other with respect.
Commitments: The issues to be included in the agreement
include the rules and regulations for conducting business, as
well as the general guidelines with regard to the cost of
providing service.

Stakeholder: Name: doctors
Position: medical staff
Interests: The doctors want the patients to cooperate during
treatment. They also want the government to provide good
infrastructures. They want to be paid well and the working
conditions to be improved.
Options: The doctors need to offer quality services so that the
patients can feel satisfied with these services and remain loyal
to the organization. This will increase profits and hence money
to pay well the doctors will be available.
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: Putting the doctors on
part-time basis where they will be paid for the hours worked
rather than on permanent basis

Commitments: Performance work evaluations to be used in
order to determine the productivity of the doctors. The
outcomes to be paid accordingly
Stakeholder: Name -nurses
Position: medical staff
Interests: The nurses want the patients to cooperate during
treatment. They also want the government to provide good
infrastructures. They want to be paid well and the working
conditions to be improved.
Options: The nurses need to offer quality services so that the
patients can feel satisfied with these services and remain loyal
to the organization. This will increase profits and hence money
to pay well the doctors will be available.
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: Putting the nurses on
part-time basis where they will be paid for the hours worked
rather than on permanent basis

Commitments: Performance work evaluations to be used in
order to determine the productivity of the doctors. The
outcomes to be paid accordingly
Stakeholder: Name: veterans
Position: patients
Interests: the veterans want to get quality medical services.
They also want to get affordable medical services which are
reliable.
Options: the veterans can be give a wide rage of programs to
choose from. This will ensure that they get customized services
according to the price range.
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: the patients can have
insurance schemes where they contribute on monthly basis. This
will help them meet the costs of medical services conveniently.

Commitments: the veterans will be given loyalty cards which
will tract how frequent they access the medical services. This
will show how to win them over a long period of time to get
their commitment
Stakeholder: Name: customer service attendants
Position: medical support assistant
Interests: The customer service professionals to win more
customers through treating them well. They also want to attract
new customers. They want the working environment to be
improved in order to offer quality services. They need to be
paid well.
Options: the customer service attendants will access training to
ensure they have all it takes to treat the customers well. They
can also be given opportunity to set their own targets.
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: The alternative in this
case will involve giving the customer service staff freedom to

work in groups. This will allow them to have time to be creative
in solving the day to day problems at work as a joint team.
Commitments: The management to ensure it gives the customer
services staff support in terms of material and moral support.
The customer service staff to undergo performance evaluation to
gauge their personal performance and how it can be improved.
Stakeholder: Name: local clinics
Position: healthcare facilities
Interests: the local clinics want the government to provide good
infrastructures, they want the local community to be friendly to
them and work together in solving the local medical problems.
Options: the local clinics to work closely with the government

and the local communities in a mutual basis
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: The local clinics to be
rated according to how they are performing as well as how they
are relating well with the government or local communities.
Commitments: The performance rating of the local clinics will
ensure that they work hard in improving their services sin
meeting the needs and wants of the community.

Stakeholder: Name: hospitals
Position: healthcare facilities
Interests: the hospitals want the government to provide good
infrastructures, they want the local community to be friendly to
them and work together in solving the local medical problems.
Options: the hospitals to work closely with the government and
the local communities in a mutual basis
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: The hospitals to be
rated according to how they are performing as well as how they
are relating well with the government or local communities.

Commitments: The performance rating of the hospitals will
ensure that they work hard in improving their services sin
meeting the needs and wants of the society.
Stakeholder: Name: healthcare billing office
Position: medical facility
Interests: the healthcare billing office want the veterans to be
paying their medical bills on time and also conveniently. They
also want the billing system to be simplified
Options: the billing system to be automated and the government
to provide conducive working environment.
Alternatives if agreement is not possible: Ensuring that the
healthcare billing office works closely with the patients or
veterans to ensure that the payments are made accordingly.

Commitments: the government to provide the infrastructures
necessary to facilitate the delivery of services by the medical
healthcare billing offices. The medical staff to undergo training
to ensure that they deliver quality services. The system to be
automated and the security of the systems to be enhanced.

References
Duncan, S. (2010). Some signals and rules for taking speaking
turns in conversation.
Emery, C., Calvard, T. S., & Pierce, M. E. (2013). Leadership
as an emergent group process: A social network study of
personality and leadership. Group processes & intergroup
relations, 16(1), 28-45.
John, C. (2012). Social presence theory and implications for
interaction and collab-orative learning in computer
conferences. International Journal of Educational
Telecommunica-
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 23, 283–92
Miller, T. W. (2012). The Praeger handbook of veterans' health:
History, challenges, issues, and developments. Santa
Barbara, Calif: Praeger.
Stringer, E.T. (2014).Action research (4thed.).Los Angeles, CA:
Sage Publications.
tions, 1, 2/3, 147–66.

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