EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP DEPARTMENT
Doctoral Program
YEAR TWO Term 6: CHANGE LEADERSHIP PLAN
PART TWO: RESEARCH PROPOSAL
In Term Six the thesis writer begins to assemble the elements of his or her
organizational change plan into a research proposal. Having identified an area in need
of improvement in their organization (the “as is”), and envisioned what the future could
be if the change was enacted (the “to be”), he or she now bridges the "as is" and "to be"
with a series of strategies and targeted actions to achieve desired goals.
In 10 to 15 double spaced pages, elaborate upon your initial Problem & Vision
Statement from Term Five, to draft a research proposal that includes the following
Sections and Sub-sections presented in the following order:
SECTION ONE: INTRODUCTION
1. Statement of the Problem: Describe the problem that calls for change, and what
you envision the consequences will be of successfully initiating the change.
2. Rationale: State your reasons for selecting this problem as the focus of your
change plan. Include your own personal connection to the plan. Explain why it is
important to you, to your school or district, and the educational community at
large.
3. Goals: State the intended goals of the change plan and how they will address the
problem situation in need of change.
4. Setting: Provide a description of the demographics of your school or district.
Include basic information such as student population, SES, racial and ethnic
make-up, and achievement data.
SECTION TWO: ASSESSING THE 4 Cs
Using the AS - IS Diagnostic tool you created in Term Five, list and elaborate on the
factors you identified in each of the four arenas of change (context, culture, conditions,
and competencies) that are in need of change. To assist you in thinking about what to
include in each of the four arenas, refer to “Arenas of Change” in Chapter Six of Change
Leadership, p. 98 – 109.
.
SECTION THREE: PERSONAL IMMUNITIES TO CHANGE
In this section the thesis writer revisits his or her personal immunities to change that
were first explored in Chapter Five, Exhibit 5.1 of Change Leadership. Use this section
to reflect upon what might keep you from achieving your change plan. What are you
doing and not doing to achieve your goals? What might be hidden or competing
commitments? What Big Assumption might possibly be holding you back? (Also, attach
a revised Personal Immunity Map after having read Chapter Seven and reviewed Exhibit
7.1.)
SECTION FOUR: METHODOLOGY
Having identified what you see to be the major factors in each of the four C’s that appear
to be contributing to the problem, identify the kinds of data (qualitative and
quantitative) you will need to gather and analyze for an accurate, or more in-depth,
understanding of the existing (as –is) context, culture, conditions, and competencies.
See Chapter Eight of Change Leadership to help you think about the kinds of data that
change leaders need to gather and analyze before making plans for strategic action. For
example, consider what data might help you better understand the situation or problem.
Also consider what data might help you to convey the urgency of the need for a change
to stakeholders. Data might include interview, observation, survey, focus group,
document analysis (formative or summative assessments), or other types of data.
REFERENCE LIST
Provide a list of all books, articles, reports, websites, etc. that were referenced within the
body of the text. Use APA style.
APPENDICES
1. AS – IS Chart
2. TO – BE Chart
3. Strategies and Actions Chart
4. Revised Immunities Map