BSM
Analyze, think & Solve
The third core competency set forth by NASPAA is the ability to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions. This involves: critically evaluating the assumptions and arguments about both policy and organizational matters in the public and non-profit sectors; write papers and memos making policy recommendations; write papers and memos making recommendations about organizational and human resources issues; identify and critically analyze assumptions in the public administration literature; trace through how decisions by public and non-profit organizations produce policy outcomes that affect the lives of specific groups and communities; use SPSS to create and analyze databases for public policy analysis; and use EXCEL to create databases and conduct budgetary analysis. To illustrate this competency, I've chosen the following coursework:
Being able to analyze, synthesize, critically solve problems and make decisions is an essential part of being a competent public administrator. I gained critical thinking, analysis and research experience when I completed the data analysis project in my quantitative analysis class. Quantitative analysis is a technique that seeks to understand behavior by using mathematical and statistical modeling, measurement, and research. Quantitative analysts aim to represent a given reality regarding a numerical value. The approach allows the researcher to make informed decisions contingent on the outcome of the research and the statistical relationship between factors. The issue that I focused on was high school graduation rates, the rate at which they are decreasing, and factors which are attributed to their decrease. I used "high school graduation rate" as my dependent variable and "poverty", "English as a second language", and "schools that reside in rural or urban districts" as my independent variables. The knowledge and skills that I obtained from this class, for instance, the ability to identify how to find studies that are relevant, secure, and reliable to understand what factors actually contribute to policy outcomes will be an asset to me working as a public administrator.
Mobile app development has the ability to solve some of the toughest workplace problems. Whether an organization is looking to improve mobility, increase productivity, encourage time-management, or increase collaboration, a mobile app can help support their goals. Today, millions of businesses around the world utilize apps to solve common problems facing their company. However, most of the time public organizations are slower to keep up with the demands of society. This is due to the lack of trained personnel who have the time to identify apps that would make their processes simpler and lack of funding to outsource the project. While enrolled in the Seminar in Administrative Leadership course, I produced two innovative mobile applications that Auburn University, Student Affairs Division could use to help them become more effective and efficient while also contemplating the risks that could occur from the app. The apps in which I chose to enhance the productivity of the student affairs division were the Microsoft Outlook mobile and Whova apps. The first app (Microsoft Outlook) allowed each employee to bring all of their email accounts and calendars to one synchronized location. This application helped employees to be able to manage emails, create a calendar event, set up meetings, and send or receive invites to colleagues while on the go. This app directly addressed the problem that I identified in the office, delayed email and calendar response time issues within the department. The second app (Whova) addressed the second issue that I found within the division, lack of networking at between student affairs employees and students. This app allowed employees who are participating in a conference, event, business expo, etc. to network with other attendees. It not only is a networking tool but it also helps the events run effectively and efficiently. By completing this assignment, I am prepared to use innovative technology solutions to address issues within public agencies.