Assignment 2.1: Justification Report – Part 1

Due Week 3 and worth 150 points

In Assignments 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, you will be building up a formal, researched justification report (one part at a time) that culminates in a recommendation to implement a particular product, service, or program in your place of employment. This recommended product, service, or program should resolve a problem that you identify in your workplace and should be directed to your employer (even if you do not actually plan to share it with your employer).

Use the basic outline below to draft Assignment 2. Organize your responses to each question under the following section headings:

• Problem Statement (for Question 1)
• Overview of Alternatives (for Question 2)
• Criteria (for Question 3)
• Methods (for Question 4)

Using the provided template, write Part 1 of a single-spaced report in which you:

1. Discuss in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.
2. Provide a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.
3. List and detail five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2. Note: The alternative that satisfies the most criteria to the highest degree will be the one you recommend later to your employer (in Assignment 2.3). Criteria are standards that the audience values and are therefore used to measure the worth of each alternative (common examples include cost, desirability, durability, efficiency, time it will take to implement, and practicality).
4. Describe in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer. Note: This is a one to two (1-2) paragraph description of what research needs to be completed in order to evaluate the alternatives. This is not a detailed procedure for solving the problem.

Your assignment must:

• Be typed, single spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Support ideas or claims in body paragraphs with clear details, examples, and explanations.
• Organize ideas logically by using transitional words, phrases, and sentences.
• Use sentence variety and effective word choice in written communication.
• Apply writing process strategies to develop formal business reports and / or proposals.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues related to selected topics.
• Write clearly and concisely using proper writing mechanics.

Click here to view the grading rubric. 

…Points: 150

Assignment 2.1: Justification Report – Part 1

Criteria

Unacceptable
Below 60% F

Meets Minimum Expectations
60-69% D

Fair
70-79% C

Proficient
80-89% B

Exemplary
90-100% A

1. Discuss in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.
Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely discussed in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

Insufficiently discussed in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

Partially discussed in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

Satisfactorily discussed in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

Thoroughly discussed in detail a problem at work, persuading and convincing the reader that it needs fixing.

2. Provide a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.
Weight: 20%

Did not submit or incompletely provided a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

Insufficiently provided a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

Partially provided a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

Satisfactorily provided a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

Thoroughly provided a detailed description of two (2) possible solutions (“alternatives”) that could be implemented to resolve the problem identified in Question 1.

3. List and describe five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2. 
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely listed and described five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.

Insufficiently listed and described five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.

Partially listed and described five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.

Satisfactorily listed and described five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.

Thoroughly listed and described five (5) criteria that you will use to measure the worth of each alternative in Question 2.

4. Describe in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  
Weight: 15%

Did not submit or incompletely described in detail how you will conduct the research needed to the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  

Insufficiently described in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  

Partially described in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  

Satisfactorily described in detail how you will conduct the research needed to determine the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  

Thoroughly described in detail how you will conduct the research needed to the best alternative to recommend to your employer.  

5. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements.
Weight: 30%

More than 8 errors present.

7-8 errors present.

5-6 errors present.

3-4 errors present.

0-2 errors present.