Preparing a Work Plan

BA25 Business Communications Professor Melody Thomas

Work Plan

A carefully thought-out plan for ensuring you produce good work on schedule by identifying all tasks to be performed and making sure nothing gets overlooked.

Work Plan Elements

Statement of the Problem or Opportunity Statement of the Purpose and Scope of investigation Research Strategy Tentative Outline Work Schedule

Statement of the Problem

Clarifies the challenge you face Helps you stay focused on the core issues Assists everyone in avoiding distractions

Statement of Purpose
Starts with infinitive phrase: To . . . Defines the focus of the report Sets the boundaries (scope) of the project by stating scope of research Points out significance of report Discusses limitations affecting the research or where findings can be applied

PROBLEM STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Our companys market share is steadily declining.

We need $2 million to launch our new product.

To explore different ways of selling our products and to recommend the ones that will most likely increase our market share. To convince investors that our new business would be a sound investment so that we can obtain desired funding.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Many women between the ages of 22 and 38 have trouble finding jeans that fit.

The leases on all company cars will be expiring in three months. Expenses and paperwork for employee-owned cars seems excessive.

To secure an advertising contract from Lee Jeans that will examine published accounts about the jeans industry and Lee Jeans in particular. To recommend a plan that provides sales reps with cars to be used in their calls.

Research Strategy
Potential sources of information Methods of collecting data Constraints on time, money, personnel, or data

Tentative Outline of Report

Problem factoring:
Divide the major problem into subproblems stated as questions to be answered.

Working outline guides research efforts

Work Schedule
States assignments Provides deadlines Describes final products Estimates time needed for each task Follow the journalistic approach
Who, what, where, when

Sample Work Plan

Company is considering whether or not to to launch a newsletter

Statement of Problem The rapid growth of our company over the past five years has reduced the sense of community among our staff. People no longer feel like part of an intimate organization where they matter as individuals. Statement of Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether a company newsletter would help rebuild employee identification with the organization. The study will evaluate the impact of newsletters in other companies and will attempt to identify features that might be desirable in our own newsletter. Such variables as length, frequency of distribution, types of articles, and graphic design will be considered. Costs will be estimated for several approaches. In addition, the study will analyze the personnel and the procedures required to produce a newsletter.

Sources and Methods of Data Collection Sample newsletters will be collected from 50 companies similar to ours in size, growth rate, and types of employees. The editors will be asked to comment on the impact of their publications on employee morale. Our own employees will be surveyed to determine their interest in a newsletter and their preferences for specific features. Production procedures and costs will be analyzed through conversations with newsletter editors and printers.

PRELIMINARY OUTLINE I. Do newsletters affect morale? A. Do people read them? B. How do employees benefit? C. How does the company benefit? II. What are the features of good newsletters? A. How long are they? B. What do they contain? C. How often are they published? D. How are they designed? III. How should a newsletter be produced? A. Should it be written, edited, and printed internally? B. Should it be written internally and printed outside? C. Should it be totally produced outside? IV. What would a newsletter cost? A. What would the personnel costs be? B. What would the materials cost be? C. What would outside services cost? V. Should we publish a company newsletter? VI. If so, what approach should we take?

WORK PLAN Each phase of this study will be completed by the following dates and personnel: Action Collect/analyze newsletters Interview editors by phone Survey employees Develop sample Develop cost estimates Prepare report Prepare graphics Rehearse presentation Complete PPT slides Submit final report Deadline 9/3-9/14 9/16-9/27 9/16-9/27 9/30-10/7 10/8-10/11 10/14-10/25 10/14-10/25 10/25-10/27 10/27-10/29 10/30 Person Responsible Entire team Susan and John Mary and Joseph John Mary Joseph Susan Entire team John Joseph

Preparing Your Reports

Assign team leader Select report topic and team name Establish meeting dates for rest of term

WRITTEN REPORT Divide workload Conduct research Interview foreign student Write draft Submit to editor Complete final report for submission

CLASS PRESENTATION Divide workload Prepare slides Submit to editor Rehearse class presentation Conduct final presentation