2 Discussion Question And 1 Assignments Essay

2 Discussion Question And 1 Assignments Essay

Question 1

Strategic Planning”

Review “Doing the Right Thing” in Chapter 5. Governmental Planning Takes Diverse Forms. A partial list of large-scale governmental planning activities would have to include at least the following: (1) planning for the conservation and use of natural resources, (2) city planning, (3) planning for full employment, (4) planning for personal and family security, (5) planning for agriculture, and (6) planning for the improvement of government organization. Provide one example from the case that addresses one of the five planning activities. Explain the lessons you discovered in this case that could create additional planning activities.

Review “Robin Hood” in Chapter 5. The story stated that the source of revenue (the rich) was dwindling because the rich were avoiding the forest. Robin considered increasing revenue by assessing a fixed transit tax. Recommend a contingency plan to increase revenue that would allow Robin Hood to stay true to his mission. Comment on the use and importance of contingency plans by public administrators. Provide an example to illustrate.

Question 2

Making the Decision”

Using the story about Robin Hood, discuss a cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis of the proposed assessment and contingency plan. Justify your rationale.

From the e-Activity, select one of the current events and discuss what method of rational decision making will better serve the public interest(s). Justify your response.

Assignment 1: Rationale for Agency Selected

For this and the following assignments, which will become a major part of your portfolio, you will take on the role of a consultant for a government agency. The first role of the consultant is to familiarize yourself with the agency, its departments, and key actors. Select a local, county, state, or federal agency and a department within the agency. Usually, you can find contact information on their Websites.

After selecting an agency and department, you are expected to:

Provide a rationale for your selection, and research the agency and department.

Interview at least two (2) representatives of the agency’s department for the different sections of the paper. (If you can obtain more than two (2) different interviews, do so. The more perspectives, the better. Interviews can be conducted in person, by phone, or by an electronic method such as email.)

Research the literature regarding issues that involve the selected agency and public administration in general.

Assume the role of a consultant who works for a consulting firm that has asked you to research this agency and file a report with the Vice President (VP) of Accounts and Client Support.

Write a two to three (2-3) page paper, titled Part I: Background of and Rationale for the {Selected Agency} in which you separate the content into sections:

Provide background information about the agency and its department, mission, and its goals / objectives. (Title this section Introduction.)

Describe three to five (3-5) functions of this agency. (Title this section Functions of the Agency.)

Analyze two to three (2-3) current events involving the agency. (Use the e-Activities from Week 1 and Week 2.) (Title this section Current Events.)

Explain the rationale for selecting this agency with two to three (2-3) justifiable reasons. (Title this section Rationale.)

List four to five (4-5) academic sources and government Websites you expect to access in your research. (Include no more than one (1) non-government Website.)

Some Websites you may want to access are:

U.S. Government Printing Office located at http://www.gpo.gov/

The Federal Register located at http://www.federalregister.gov/

U.S. Government Accountability Office located at http://www.gao.gov/

American Society for Public Administrators located at http://www.aspanet.org/public/

When using these sites, please make sure they follow APA formatting within the text and on the Reference Page.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.

Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The sections must have appropriate titles. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. The assignment must be submitted as a Microsoft Word document.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Examine the basic components and functions of public sector administration.

Recommend ways to improve specific areas of public administration.

Use technology and information resources to research issues in public administration.

Write clearly and concisely about public administration using proper writing mechanics.