Q Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Due: by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday at the end of Unit 7 MINI CAPSTONE PROJECT OVERVIEW Your Mini Capstone project will consist of a 15 – 20 page paper designed, over the duration of this course, to introduce you to specific portions of the Capstone project that you will have to write to complete your degree. You will have multiple deliverables assigned that correspond to the materials being discussed in the readings. You will find this makes the Mini Capstone project seem much more manageable, and you will add to the project as you learn about the various public policy concepts presented in this course. If you work on this each week, the final Mini Capstone project will evolve seamlessly. The Mini Capstone project has four separate assignments and you will be working on these throughout the duration of this course. Here are the specific deliverables: ? Unit 1 Public Policy/Topic Selection o 1 – 2 paragraphs ? Unit 3 Introduction o 1 – 2 pages ? Unit 5 Policy Overiew and Historical Background o 6 – 8 pages ? Unit 7 Stakeholder Analysis, Solution, and Conclusion o 8 – 10 pages NOTE: This Mini Capstone project is based on research - not personal opinion. The tone should be professional. Do not use personal pronouns. You are required to follow APA style, including properly formatted in text citations, a title page, running header and reference page, with properly formatted citations. The Mini Capstone project is an applied policy plan. It requires students to relate theory to practice. It should be clear to the reader that this is not a theoretical or abstract academic exercise, but one that you might do as a professional public administrator. Examples of what might appear in each section have been provided below. Use these as guides, but be aware that they are not comprehensive and you will have to provide much more detail and analysis in your paper. When you submit the final Mini Capstone project at the end of Unit 7, you should incorporate all sections of the project that you worked on for your selected public policy/topic. You will use the feedback provided by your instructor on the assignments submitted in Unit 3 and Unit 5 and apply it to those sections before submitting the final Mini Capstone project. Incorporate the Unit 7 component (Stakeholder Analysis, Solution, and PAD616 – Public Policy Unit 7 Mini Capstone: Stakeholder Analysis, Solution, Conclusion Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Conclusion) into the final Mini Capstone project file. Do not submit it separately. Your final Mini Capstone project will range between 15-20 pages once it is complete. UNIT 7 MINI CAPSTONE- STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS, SOLUTION, AND CONCLUSION: This component of the Mini Capstone has two sections. The first section entails conducting a stakeholder analysis and proposing a solution for your selected policy/topic. In the second section you will write a conclusion to recap and tie together all of the information from the Public Policy/Topic Selection, Introduction and Policy Overiew and Historical Background sections. Your entire project should contain 15-20 pages when it is assembled in its entirety. C. Stakeholder analysis and proposed solution. This section provides detailed information about the stakeholders affected by the public policy/topic you selected and the proposed solution for this topic. Combined with your conclusion, this component will encompass 8-10 pages of the final Mini Capstone project file. 1. Stakeholder analysis. Identify stakeholders and explain their interest in solving the problem by conducting an in-depth analysis of the relationships of various stakeholders in the formulation of public policy. The purpose is to ensure that you understand that stakeholders are ultimately influential to the success of policy and their involvement helps to improve buy-in and support for the ultimate solution. The stakeholder analysis should be approximately 2 to 3 pages in length. Stakeholders are those who have a vested interest in an organization, policy, or investment, even if those people are not directly affected by it (Rabinowitz, n.d.). It is important to identify stakeholders who may be positively or adversely affected so that policies and their implementation are fair and equitable to all stakeholders. Stakeholder buy-in is not only necessary because of the support it provides, but also to help accomplish the intended goals of the program or policy (Rabinowitz, n.d.). Stakeholders can be characterized in several ways. In some cases, a stakeholder’s interest may fall into more than one category. A primary stakeholder is a person or group of people who is directly affected by the identified issue. The effects can either be positive, negative, or both (Rabinowitz, n.d.). A secondary stakeholder is a person or group of people that is indirectly impacted by the identified issue (Rabinowitz, n.d.). These include the community at large, government and nonprofit agencies. The third type, who may also be a primary or secondary stakeholder, are those who can have a positive or negative effect on the policy because they carry out the work surrounding it even if they may not benefit from it (Rabinowitz, n.d.). Stakeholder analysis example. Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED There are numerous stakeholders with an interest in solving Flint’s water supply problem. City residents and businesses are primary stakeholders as they have a personal (residents) and commercial (businesses) vested interest in clean water. Local, state, and federal government agencies that are responsible for permitting and oversight, providing financial resources and building infrastructure may be characterized as secondary stakeholders. Medical professionals who care for those with health issues directly and indirectly related to the contaminated water will have to be part of the solution. School administrators who must address the needs of children who have lead related developmental delays are also stakeholders. Both of these groups fall into the third category of stakeholders. The common thread amongst all of them is that clean water is a basic necessity for the health, safety, and welfare of the community at large. 2. Propose a solution. Analyze two feasible alternatives to solving your problem. This will help you recognize that there are almost always competing alternatives that could be considered. The idea is to go through a rational decision-making process to determine the most appropriate solution given the constraints - this is usually done through a pro/con analysis. After going through the analysis, select a proposed solution and provide your rationale. Specify the persons, department, agency or organization primarily responsible for implementing your solution, discuss any resources needed, propose a timeline and describe anticipated challenges and expected results and benefits. You do not have to provide your full analysis of the solution that you do not choose. Instead, briefly identify it and explain why it is not the preferred solution. This section should be approximately 5 to 7 pages in length. Solution example. The condition of Flint’s water supply demands immediate action. One option is to privatize the water system. A second is to institute a comprehensive, multi-year reorganization and capital reinvestment program. The first option takes the city completely out of the public water supply business, turning it over to the private market and relinquishing all local control. The second option commits the city to significant new investments in infrastructure and an ongoing commitment. The first option is not viable as there are no water companies with the interest or capability to correct the current problems and maintain the system for the foreseeable future. The second option has pros and cons but is viable as both the state and federal governments have the financial resources needed to solve the problem. Since the State will be the primary source of funds, it will oversee the project, using outside contractors to design and construct the project. The new infrastructure will be completed within two years if work begins in 2016. One challenge to implementing this solution is that Flint’s residents no longer trust their government officials. Assuming that this trust can be regained through stakeholder buy in, and the Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED infrastructure is replaced and maintained, residents should not have to worry about the cleanliness of the public water supply for the foreseeable future. D. Conclusion. You should include a conclusion that briefly summarizes what was presented in the paper. The conclusion should not include any new or additional information. Refer to the resources provided on conclusions in Unit 5 to assist you with creating a strong conclusion. The conclusion should be approximately 1 to 1 ½ pages in length. Conclusion example. Access to clean and safe public drinking water is a basic need, and is taken for granted in the United States. In 2014, the City of Flint, Michigan switched its water supply from the Detroit water system to the Flint River and residents started getting sick. For over a year, while government official debated water sample test results and dismissed complaints out of hand, Flint’s residents were being poisoned. A series of poor decisions at every government level contributed to one of the largest public health emergencies in the United States in recent history. There is no doubt but that Flint’s financial condition prior to the decision to switch its water supply from the Detroit water system to the Flint River was the initial decision that lead to the crisis. While Flint may be the most recent example of a city in crisis, it is not alone. Many industrial cities have aging and decaying infrastructure. Not coincidentally, these cities also have large minority populations who are disproportionately impacted when critical services are compromised. Flint’s mayor has been quoted as saying that the cost to replace Flint’s water pipes could be as high as $1.5 billion. This cost will be born not only by Flint’s residents, but also at the state and national level. It is imperative, however, that the stakeholder most directly impacted be involved in any process intended to find a solution to the problem. In Flint, this mean involving the residents in the decision making process from the very beginning, as residents are the primary beneficiaries of the ultimate solution. The best option to ensure clean and safe drinking water is for the City to invest in new infrastructure. There are pros and cons to this solution, and because it will require significant planning and financial resources, stakeholder buy in is critical to its success. Even after Flint’s immediate water needs have been met, the long term effects will be unknown for years. Providing essential services is the one thing that public administrators must always get right and be accountable for getting wrong. In Flint, they got it wrong. Examples of what might appear in each section have been provided above. Use these as guides but be aware that they are not comprehensive and you will have to provide much more detail and analysis in your paper. Remember to include a title and reference page. REMEMBER: Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED When you submit the final Mini Capstone project at the end of Unit 7, you should incorporate all sections of the project that you worked on for your selected public policy/topic. You will use the feedback provided by your instructor on the assignments submitted in Unit 3 and Unit 5 and apply it to those sections before submitting the final Mini Capstone project. Incorporate the Unit 7 component (Stakeholder Analysis, Solution, and Conclusion) into the final Mini Capstone project file. Do not submit it separately. Your final Mini Capstone project will range between 15-20 pages once it is complete. Students: Be sure to read the criteria in the grading rubric on the next page, by which your paper will be evaluated, before you write, and again after you write. Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Evaluation Rubric for Unit 7 Assignment: Stakeholder Analysis, Solution, Conclusion CRITERIA Exemplary Proficient Meets Minimal Expectations Unacceptable 20 points 16 – 19 points 12 – 15 points 0 – 11 points Previous Sections Previous sections of the Mini Capstone Project were included in the submission; feedback provided by the instructor was applied to those sections before submitting the final Mini Capstone project. Previous sections of the Mini Capstone Project were included in the submission; some of the feedback provided by the instructor was applied to those sections before submitting the final Mini Capstone project. Previous sections of the Mini Capstone Project were included in the submission; however, feedback provided by the instructor was not applied to those sections before submitting the final Mini Capstone project. Previous sections of the Mini Capstone Project were not included in the submission for the final Mini Capstone project. 20 points 16 – 19 points 12 – 15 points 0 – 11 points Stakeholder Analysis All stakeholders are identified; an explanation of their interest in solving the problem by conducting an in-depth analysis of the relationships of various stakeholders in the formulation of public policy was provided. Stakeholders are identified; an explanation of some stakeholder’s interest in solving the problem by conducting an in-depth analysis of the relationships of various stakeholders in the formulation of public policy was provided. Stakeholders are identified, but some inaccurately; an explanation of some stakeholder’s interest in solving the problem by conducting an in-depth analysis of the relationships of various stakeholders in the formulation of public policy was provided. No stakeholders were identified; no explanation of their interest in solving the problem by conducting an in-depth analysis of the relationships of various stakeholders in the formulation of public policy was provided. 20 points 16 – 19 points 12 – 15 points 0 – 11 points Solution Identified two feasible alternatives to solving the problem. After going through the analysis, presented one solution and provide detailed rationale including specifying the persons, department, agency Identified two feasible alternatives to solving the problem. After going through the analysis, presented one solution and provide detailed rationale including specifying the persons, department, agency Identified only one feasible alternative to solving the problem. After going through the analysis, presented one solution and provide detailed rationale including specifying the persons, department, agency Did not identify two feasible alternatives to solving the problem or rationale for the selection. Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED or organization primarily responsible for implementing the solution, and any resources needed; proposed a timeline and described anticipated challenges as well as expected results and benefits; briefly described the alternate solution and explained why it is not the preferred solution. or organization primarily responsible for implementing the solution, and any resources needed; proposed a timeline and described anticipated challenges as well as expected results and benefits; but did not briefly describe the alternate solution and explain why it is not the preferred solution. or organization primarily responsible for implementing the solution, and any resources needed; proposed a timeline and described anticipated challenges as well as expected results and benefits. 10 points 8 – 9 points 6 – 7 points 0 – 5 points Conclusion Conclusion briefly summarizes what was presented in the paper and does not include any new or additional information. Conclusion summary of what was presented in the paper is lengthy but does not include any new or additional information. Conclusion briefly summarizes what was presented in the paper but includes new or additional information not previously presented in the paper. No conclusion provided. 10 points 8 – 9 points 6 – 7 points 0 – 5 points Style Coherence Organization Well-planned and well-thought out. All paragraphs have clear ideas, are supported with examples and have smooth transitions. Sentences are complete in thought and concise, eliminating unnecessary words or phrases. Sentence transitions are present. Words used are precise, unambiguous and used properly. The tone is appropriate for the assignment. Good overall organization, includes the main organizational tools. Most paragraphs have clear ideas, are supported with some examples and have transitions. Style and coherence issues are present but do not detract from the overall quality of the paper. The tone is appropriate for the assignment. There is a sense of organization, although some of the organizational tools are used weakly or missing. Some paragraphs have clear ideas, support from examples may be missing and transitions are weak. Style and coherence issues are present and detract from the quality of the paper. The tone is generally appropriate for the assignment. No sense of organization. Paragraphs lack clear ideas with no transition between paragraphs. Style and coherence issues detract from the quality of the paper to the extent that the reader is unable to understand the writer’s meaning. The tone for the assignment is not appropriate. Copyright 2022 Post University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 10 points 8 – 9 points 6 – 7 points 0 – 5 points Grammar Spelling Writing assignment is free of errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation. Writing assignment is mostly free of errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation. Writing assignment contains several minor errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation, but does not detract from content of the passage. Writing assignment contains several errors in grammar, spelling and punctuation which detract from content of the passage. 10 points 8 – 9 points 6 – 7 points 0 – 5 points Format and APA Consistently demonstrates correct use of in-text citations in the appropriate APA format; includes a title and comprehensive reference page. Mostly demonstrates correct use of in-text citations in the appropriate APA format; includes a title and reference page, but it may contain errors. Occasionally demonstrates correct use of in-text citations in the appropriate APA format; a title and reference page is included, but it may be incomplete or contain errors. Did not demonstrate correct use of in-text citations in the appropriate APA format; does not include a title and reference page.