Professional Briefing Paper and Presentation $(20\%)$

Each student is expected to pick a topic related to the course content and develop a professional

briefing paper and presentation on the chosen topic. Those learners who are more interested in

developing specific skills related to the course content should pick an activity or practice as a topic $($e$.$g$.$

conducting a SWOT analysis$).$

Once each learner has chosen their topic, they need to identify at least $2$ recent $($no earlier than

articles that address the topic. Each learner is encouraged to identify both a research$/$scientific

$($academic$)$ and a practitioner$-$oriented article. The research$/$scientific $($academic$)$ article will assist in

providing a comprehensive definition of the topic and a description of key aspects of the topic, whereas

the practitioner$-$oriented article will provide more how$-$to information.

Online databases of articles $($research and practitioner$)$ are available via the online library. The

online databases have search filters which allow you to restrict your searches to academic or

practitioner$-$oriented articles $($trade publications$).$

Video review of professional briefing papers and presentations $($click here$)$

Video on how to use the Southern University online databases of articles to identify both a

research$/$academic and practitioner$-$oriented article related to your chosen topic $($click here$)$

Video review of $2$ sample briefing papers $($click here$)$

Each student is required to review the collected articles and develop a briefing paper that consists of the

following sections:

$($Section $1)$ Define and describe the topic using the information provided in the articles and other

sources if necessary $($try to secure a comprehensive definition of the topic and identify any

classifications, typologies and dimensions e$.$g$.$ a SWO analysis is defined as $...$ and has the

following types $...$ and the first type is made up of the following dimensions $...,$ second type is made

up of $...$ etc.$).$

$($Section $2)$ Identify the key points that the articles are making about the topic and present the

information in a series of bulleted statements $($e$.$g$.$ highlight the key points that the articles are

making about SWOT analysis, and then use the high$-$lights to create a set of key bullet points$).$ If

necessary, expand briefly on each point to assist the reader in understanding the point being made.

$($Section $3)$ Briefly describe why the topic is important for organizations $($what impact will the topic

have on our society, organizations, environment etc. $-$ e$.$g$.$ why is a SWOT analysis important for

organizations$).$ If no direct information is provided then you need to make thoughtful inferences.

$($Section $4)$ Briefly recommend key actions that should be taken with regard to this topic $($e$.$g$.$ how

might this practice$/$activity be executed e$.$g$.$ how should a SWOT analysis be conducted?$).$ Provide

some information about the key general steps required to execute this activity, and any other things

that support efficient and effective execution. If no direct information is available then you need to

make thoughtful inferences. Section $4$ is only applicable if you chose a topic that is an activity or

practice.