Assignment: An Organizational Structure for Sun City Boards

Preparation

In this assignment, we’ll return to Sun City Boards and the management challenges they face. (You can refresh your memory of Sun City Boards by reading the Why It Matters and Putting It Together sections of the Planning and Mission module.) With your advice, Tom Wilson (the owner) has continued to make strategic planning progress, but you and Tom realize that a new organizational structure is needed for the company to grow as you envision. Plans include expanding beyond a single store/manufacturing shop and reaching new markets via an Internet presence and e-commerce. The following is a summary of the current staff and loose descriptions of job functions:

  • Owner/CEO – Tom Wilson (Designs the boards, sets their selling price, and establishes sales channels with local surf shops)
  • Bookkeeper – Sarah Balanced (Sarah also doubles as order-taking clerk, cash register attendant, and customer complaint listener)
  • Board Maker – Jack Ovalltrades (If Tom invents it, Jack can make it!)
  • Board Making Assistants – 3 Jills (Assignments change almost daily as Jack decides what needs to be done next)
  • Sales Associate – Kelly Dude (Named after famed surfer Kelly Slater and a business icon for Sun City Boards; visits surf shops and occasionally closes a sale)
  • Part-time Associates – Hired as needed for inventory management (cleanup), promotional events, etc.

The Organizational Structures module of your text provides numerous examples and illustrations of organizational structures.  As Tom’s advisor, your assignment now is to select one of the organizational structures presented in the reading, describe how it works, chart the future structure for Sun City, and explain why you prescribe it. The following steps will help you prepare for your written assignment:

  1. Thoroughly read the Organizational Structures module.
  2. Carefully consider the various organizational structures, their key structural components, and organizational timing relevant for Sun City. Consider the internal and external environmental factors, as well as current trends.

Your Task

  1. Select one of the Organizational Structures from your reading for Sun City.
  2. Create a Future State Organizational Chart for Sun City. You may use a presentation tool of your choice. There are numerous organizational chart format inserts available in popular software. Microsoft Word and PowerPoint have Hierarchy charts found on the Insert tab under SmartArt. Your org chart should contain the title of the job function, even if no Sun City employee currently fills that role. You may also recommend a reporting structure for the existing employees within the new structure.
  3. Write at least two paragraphs describing your chosen structure and why you selected it. Your written explanation must include three properly referenced and defined terms from the module reading.  For example, if you select a functional structure, explain each relevant function.

In addition to the text, you are encouraged to research your organizational structure using reliable and properly cited Internet resources. You may also draw from your personal work experience with appropriate examples to support your references.

Grading

Your written assignment will be graded using the Written Assignment Rubric (the Microsoft Word version of the Written Assignment Rubric is available here). Please review and keep it in mind as you prepare your assignment. Each component is weighted as follows:

10% Organization and Format

Adequate: Writing is coherent and logically organized, using a format suitable for the material presented. Transitions used between ideas and paragraphs create coherence. Overall unity of ideas is supported by the format and organization of the material presented.

40% Content

Adequate: All required questions are addressed with thoughtful consideration reflecting both proper use of content terminology and additional original thought. Some additional concepts are presented from properly cited sources, or originated by the author following logic and reasoning they’ve clearly presented throughout the writing.

40% Development – Critical Thinking

Adequate: Content indicates original thinking, cohesive conclusions, and developed ideas with sufficient and firm evidence. Ideas presented are not merely the opinion of the writer, and clearly address all of the questions or requirements asked with evidence presented to support conclusions drawn.

10% Grammar, Mechanics, Style

Adequate: Writing is free of spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, allowing the reader to follow ideas clearly. There are no sentence fragments and run-ons. The style of writing, tone, and use of rhetorical devices is presented in a cohesive style that enhances the content of the message.