Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic/organization of the paper, and
language and writing skills, using the following rubric.
Assignment 5: Senior Seminar Project
Points: 200
Meets
Minimum
Criteria
1. Identify the topical area
(e.g., local police
department, community
jail, border patrol).
Weight: 10%
2. Define a problem or
challenge within your
topical area that you
understand in some
depth or have an interest
in. Outline the context of
the problem or challenge,
including the history and
any policy decisions that
have contributed to the
situation.
Weight: 10%
3. Describe how internal
or external
stakeholders have
influenced the situation
in a positive or
negative way.How will
you consider
stakeholders in your
solution to the problem?
How will you motivate
individuals to buy into
your solution?
Weight: 10%
Unacceptable
Expectations
Fair
Proficient
Exemplary
Below 60% F
Did not submit
or incompletely
identified the
topical area.
60-69% D
Insufficiently
identified the
topical area.
70-79% C
Partially
identified the
topical ara.
80-89% B
Satisfactorily
identified the
topical area.
90-100% A
Thoroughly
identified the
topical area.
Did not submit
or incompletely
defined a
problem or
challenge within
your topical
area that you
understand in
some depth or
have interest in.
Did not submit
or incompletely
outlined the
context of the
problem or
challenge,
including the
history and any
policy decisions
that have
contributed to
the situation.
Insufficiently
defined a
problem or
challenge
within your
topical area
that you
understand in
some depth or
have interest
in.
Insufficiently
outlined the
context of the
problem or
challenge,
including the
history and
any policy
decisions that
have
contributed to
the situation.
Insufficiently
described how
internal or
external
stakeholders
have
influenced the
situation in a
positive or
negative way.
Insufficiently
discussed how
you will
consider
stakeholders
in your
solution to the
problem and
insufficiently
discussed how
you will
Partially
defined a
problem or
challenge
within your
topical area
that you
understand in
some depth or
have interest
in. Partially
outlined the
context of the
problem or
challenge,
including the
history and
any policy
decisions that
have
contributed to
the situation.
Satisfactorily
defined a
problem or
challenge
within your
topical area
that you
understand in
some depth or
have interest
in.
Satisfactorily
outlined the
context of the
problem or
challenge,
including the
history and
any policy
decisions that
have
contributed to
the situation.
Satisfactorily
described
how internal
or external
stakeholders
have
influenced the
situation in a
positive or
negative way.
Satisfactorily
discussed
how you will
consider
stakeholders
in your
solution to the
problem and
satisfactorily
discussed
how you will
Thoroughly
defined a
problem or
challenge
within your
topical area
that you
understand in
some depth or
have interest
in. Thoroughly
outlined the
context of the
problem or
challenge,
including the
history and
any policy
decisions that
have
contributed to
the situation.
Did not submit
or incompletely
described how
internal or
external
stakeholders
have influenced
the situation in a
positive or
negative way.
Did not submit
or incompletely
discussed how
you will consider
stakeholders in
your solution to
the problem and
did not submit
or incompletely
discussed how
you will motivate
Partially
described how
internal or
external
stakeholders
have
influenced the
situation in a
positive or
negative way.
Partially
discussed how
you will
consider
stakeholders
in your
solution to the
problem and
partially
discussed how
you will
Thoroughly
described how
internal or
external
stakeholders
have
influenced the
situation in a
positive or
negative way.
Thoroughly
discussed
how you will
consider
stakeholders
in your
solution to the
problem and
thoroughly
discussed
how you will
individuals to
buy into your
solution.
4. Discuss how
technologies or
information systems have
contributed to the
problem and how you will
propose technology be
implemented into the
solution.
Did not submit
or incompletely
discussed how
technologies or
information
systems have
contributed to
the problem.
Weight: 10%
Did not submit
or incompletely
discussed how
you will propose
technology be
implemented
into the solution.
5. Discuss what data you
have collected or
researched to indicate
there is a problem.
Include at least two
sources of data and how
each is relevant to the
problem.
Did not submit
or incompletely
discussed what
data you have
collected or
researched to
indicate there is
a problem.
Weight: 10%
6. Develop an effective and
efficient solution(s) and a
course of action (i.e.,
plan) that addresses the
problem or challenge.
Weight: 10%
7. Explain what methods of
assessment you will
employ to measure the
Did not submit
or incompletely
discussed how
each source of
data is relevant
to the problem.
Did not submit
or incompletely
developed an
effective and
efficient solution
(s) and a course
of action (i.e.,
plan) that
addresses the
problem or
challenge.
Did not submit
or incompletely
explained what
method of
motivate
individuals to
buy into your
solution.
Insufficiently
discussed how
technologies
or information
systems have
contributed to
the problem.
motivate
individuals to
buy into your
solution.
Partially
discussed how
technologies
or information
systems have
contributed to
the problem.
Insufficiently
discussed how
you will
propose
technology be
implemented
into the
solution.
Partially
discussed how
you will
propose
technology be
implemented
into the
solution.
Insufficiently
discussed
what data you
have collected
or researched
to indicate
there is a
problem, but
did not include
any sources of
data (such as
charts,
historical
statistics, etc.)
Partially
discussed
what data you
have collected
or researched
to indicate
there is a
problem. You
included one
sources of
data (such as
charts,
historical
statistics, etc.)
and partially
discussed how
each data
source is
relevant to the
problem.
Insufficiently
developed an
effective and
efficient
solution(s) and
a course of
action (i.e.,
plan) that
addresses the
problem or
challenge.
Insufficiently
explained
what method
of assessment
Partially
developed an
effective and
efficient
solution(s) and
a course of
action (i.e.,
plan) that
addresses the
problem or
challenge.
Partially
explained
what method
of assessment
motivate
individuals to
buy into your
solution.
Satisfactorily
discussed
how
technologies
or information
systems have
contributed to
the problem.
motivate
individuals to
buy into your
solution.
Thoroughly
discussed
how
technologies
or information
systems have
contributed to
the problem.
Satisfactorily
discussed
how you will
propose
technology be
implemented
into the
solution.
Thoroughly
discussed
how you will
propose
technology be
implemented
into the
solution.
Satisfactorily
discussed
what data you
have collected
or researched
to indicate
there is a
problem. You
included at
least two
sources of
data (such as
charts,
historical
statistics, etc.)
and
satisfactorily
discussed
how each
data source is
relevant to the
problem.
Satisfactorily
developed an
effective and
efficient
solution(s)
and a course
of action (i.e.,
plan) that
addresses the
problem or
challenge.
Satisfactorily
explained
what method
of
Thoroughly
discussed
what data you
have collected
or researched
to indicate
there is a
problem. You
included more
than two
sources of
data (such as
charts,
historical
statistics, etc.)
and
thoroughly
discussed
how each
data source is
relevant to the
problem.
Thoroughly
developed an
effective and
efficient
solution(s)
and a course
of action (i.e.,
plan) that
addresses the
problem or
challenge.
Thoroughly
explained
what method
of assessment
effectiveness of your
solutions.
Weight: 10%
8. Develop a 10-15 slide
PowerPoint Presentation
that summarizes the seven
items above.
Weight: 15%
9. Use at least eight (8)
quality
references. Note: Wikipedia
and other Websites do not
qualify as academic
resources.
assessment you
will employ to
measure the
effectiveness of
your solution(s).
you will
employ to
measure the
effectiveness
of your
solution(s).
you will
employ to
measure the
effectiveness
of your
solution(s).
assessment
you will
employ to
measure the
effectiveness
of your
solution(s).
you will
employ to
measure the
effectiveness
of your
solution(s).
Did not submit
or incompletely
developed a 1015 slide
PowerPoint
Presentation
that summarizes
the seven items
above.
No references
provided
Insufficiently
developed a
10-15 slide
PowerPoint
Presentation
that
summarizes
the seven
items above.
Does not meet
the required
number of
references; all
references
poor quality
choices.
Partially
developed a
10-15 slide
PowerPoint
Presentation
that
summarizes
the seven
items above.
Does not meet
the required
number of
references;
some
references
poor quality
choices.
Satisfactorily
developed a
10-15 slide
PowerPoint
Presentation
that
summarizes
the seven
items above.
Meets number
of required
references; all
references
high quality
choices.
Thoroughly
developed a
10-15 slide
PowerPoint
Presentation
that
summarizes
the seven
items above.
Exceeds
number of
required
references; all
references
high quality
choices.
More than 8
errors present
7-8 errors
present
5-6 errors
present
3-4 errors
present
0-2 errors
present
Weight: 5%
10. Clarity, writing
mechanics, and formatting
requirements.
Weight: 10%
Assignment 1
1
FEMA Agency
Name
University
Professor
CRJ499 Capstone in Criminal Justice
January 16, 2018
Assignment 1
2
FEMA AGENCY
It is evident that when a corporation is mandated to follow its mission and goals and fails
to do so, it can be challenging to the leaders and its employees. For instance the federal
emergency management agency (FEMA) capability was put to test on whether their mission and
goals were directed towards acting as first responders in emergency situations to ensure that the
American nation works together towards building, sustaining, and improving its capabilities to
prepare for, secure against, respond to, recover from as well as mitigating all hazards (Fema,
2016). For example, on 29th August, Hurricane Katrina caused adverse destruction along the
Gulf coast that increased towards central Texas to Florida, due to the storm surge that destroyed
the levee system which indicates the magnitude of the devastation that took place (Haddow,
Bullock, & Coppola, 2007). The FEMA organizations have been slow in preventing such
disasters from taking and as results, people were left stranded for days on Texas and Florida city
buildings without the access to food and water as patients were dying due to the lack of medical
supplies.
It is evident that the FEMA organization failed in its duties and responsibilities towards
emergency situations due to poor management practices. For instance, the appointment of
Michael Brown as the administrator of FEMA agency who had no experience to work as an
emergency management expert thus not in a position to respond to a disaster based on previous
experiences was critical to the poor mitigation strategies that led to the hurricane havoc
(Haddow, Bullock, & Coppola, 2011).
Based on the history of the FEMA directors, a majority of them had qualified in
emergency management and preparedness strategies. They emphasized on the similarities
Assignment 1
3
between natural hazard preparedness and civil defense measures (Fema, 2016). During this
period, there was a development of an integrated emergency management system that acted on
all hazards approach. The policy was critical as it guided in sweeping reforms that streamlined
disaster relief and recovery ways that focused on the emphasis on preparedness and mitigation as
well as competent agency employees on customer service.
After the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the U.S Senate ensures that appointment of FEMA
high ranking officials such as administrators and directors had to be experienced and competent
individuals that understand strategies to prevent and respond to all hazards that are bound to
happen (Fema, 2016). The appointment of the FEMA high ranking officials by the U.S Senate is
significant since disasters such as hurricane Katrina could have been prevented if its
administrator had previous experience on managing disasters. Incompetent leaders may give a
misguided response and recovery options that will not work in responding to all mitigation, and
the outcomes are adverse as various disasters have led to the loss of lives and destruction of
properties that lower the economy of a country.
As a result, it is evident that the hiring practices within the federal agencies department
are heavily scrutinized to ensure that senior leaders do not hire family and friends who have no
experience to handle a department that needs a lot of experience and knowledge. The employees
are always impacted internally in the organization if they get to realize that the organizational
leadership is flawed, thus lacking the trust and motivation need to work on the mission and goals
put across by the organization (Fema, 2016). The customers on the other side are affected
externally who invest heavily on the organization to ensure that they are protected towards all
mitigation and these failures lead to the lack of trust in the FEMA agency organization in
providing adequate safety and security.
Assignment 1
4
However, it seems that little effort has been made to control all hazardous mitigation
activities. Back in 2017, there was the occurrence of the Hurricane Maria that led to the loss of
lives and destruction of properties similar to the one caused by Hurricane Katrina (Haddow,
Bullock, & Coppola, 2011). FEMA agency admitted that the disaster planning exercise was
needed to prevent the Hurricane Maria from taking place but did not have enough satellites
phones that could guide them in communicating across the island thus ineffective
communication which is a sign of similar poor emergency management strategies -a decade later
after the occurrence of the Hurricane Katrina.
.
Assignment 1
5
References
Fema. (2016). Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Retrieved from https://www.fema.gov/hazardmitigation-grant-program
Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. P. (2007). Introduction to Homeland Security:
Principles of All-Hazards Risk Management (3). Burlington, US: ButterworthHeinemann. Retrieved from
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/alltitles/docDetail.action?docID=10378895
Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. P. (2011). Introduction to Emergency Management (3).
Burlington, US: Butterworth-Heinemann. Retrieved from
http://site.ebrary.com/lib/alltitles/docDetail.action?docID=10371759
Assignment 2
1
Internal and External Stakeholders
Name
University
Professor
CRJ499 Capstone in Criminal Justice
January 24, 2018
Assignment 2
2
Internal and External Stakeholders
The agency of focus is the Federal emergency management agency (FEMA) and the
challenge experienced is the slow reaction to emergencies across the country. The identification
of the external and the internal stakeholders will be the focus of this paper. Furthermore, the
paper will focus on the influence of the stakeholders over the situation and will highlight the role
the stakeholders will play in supporting the solution. Additionally, strategies to generate
stakeholder buy-in will also be highlighted.
Identification of the external and internal stakeholders
The stakeholders as noted by Baugh (2015) are those who have a personal interest in the
agency and the outcomes of its policies. The internal stakeholders include the employees, the
management and internal partners such as FEMA regional offices and Risk Map providers
identifies some of the stakeholders involved internally in the functioning of FEMA (FEMA.gov,
2016). The external stakeholders can be organized into three categories that are the social groups,
the political groups and the economic groups (FEMA.gov, 2016). The social groups involve
individual citizen groups and communities.
Additionally, the social groups include community emergency response teams,
neighborhood emergency assistance teams, neighborhood emergency response teams local nongovernmental organizations and environmental groups among other communities that share
similar aims are examples of social groups (FEMA.gov, 2016). Economic groups include
business owners both large and small, and news media are an example of other external
stakeholders (FEMA.gov, 2016). The political groups include Congress as a whole, the National
Governors Association, the US Conference of Mayors and regional political organizations
provide other examples of external stakeholders.
Assignment 2
3
Influence of the stakeholders on the situation
FEMA has been slow in preventing and responding to disasters, and this has been
influenced in one way or another by the external and the internal stakeholders. The existence of
management teams with little experience in disaster management. The appointment of Michael
Brown as the administrator of FEMA agency with no prior experience in disaster management
resulted in the implementation of poor disaster mitigation strategies, and this contributed to the
problem (FEMA.gov, 2016). Additionally the lack of clear and well-defined recruitment
strategies to ensure that all employees hired at FEMA had the skills and knowledge needed to
actively manage disasters identifies yet another influence of the internal stakeholders on the
process. The lack of sufficient reform measures passed by Congress and the lack of social
support to adopt significant changes at FEMA identifies the role the external stakeholders played
in supporting this continued problem (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008). Reduced
financial assistance by Congress results in situations where strategies are limited in their
implementation due to lack of sufficient funding to support the effective adoption of quality
mitigation strategies.
Involvement of the stakeholders on the solution
The solution is to enhance the hiring practices within FEMA to ensure that qualified and
experienced professionals are hired thus improving the efficiency of the agency and its ability to
mitigate as well as respond in a timely fashion to emergencies across the country. The
involvement of the stakeholders in the development and successful implementation of the
solution and a strategy such as in-person meetings and community events will be essential to
engage with the external stakeholders especially the social and economic groups within the
Assignment 2
4
American society (Baugh, 2015). These stakeholders will be involved in identifying a set of
criteria that will guide the hiring process within the agency.
Facilitated webinars can be another approach of engaging the stakeholders in
understanding what the solution is and how it will be implemented (FEMA.gov, 2016).
Facilitated conference calls, especially with leaders of political groups in Congress, can further
help to engage these stakeholders in discussing and identifying possible solutions to the problem
(Baugh, 2015). The involvement of the political groups will ensure that they provide the needed
legal frameworks and financial assistance needed in reshaping the hiring practices within the
agency. Social media content engagement and shareable can provide a platform for the internal
and external stakeholders to provide their insights into the approach the implementation of the
solution will take (Baugh, 2015). These approaches are essential to receiving and sharing
information on the solution and its implementation.
Motivating buy-in from the stakeholders
The buy-in from the stakeholders is essential to gaining support for the implementation of
the solution. Buy-in aims to get the stakeholders on board, and this enhances the support given to
the adoption of the solution and the reduction of resistance. Kotter and Whitehead (2010) argued
that providing access to information is one way to enhance buy-in from the stakeholders.
Consistent and timely information based on the needs of each stakeholder group is essential in
promoting stakeholder buy-in. A key aspect of stakeholder engagement is the provision of open
communication between all levels of stakeholder outside and within the agency (Baugh, 2015).
For instance, providing financial information on the solution and the social and political impact it
will have can address the informational needs of the stakeholder groups such as social, economic
and political groups.
Assignment 2
5
Providing the stakeholders with opportunities to share and contribute their opinions or
views of the solution can enhance the sense of ownership in the solution and therefore motivate
the stakeholders to buy-into the proposed solution (Baugh, 2015). Integrating the feedback of
the stakeholders in the solution is essential for these groups to feel that they are included and part
of the proposed solution. Kotter and Whitehead (2010) noted that when stakeholders feel heard
and their opinions are taken seriously work to develop trust, and this is essential for promoting
stakeholder buy-in. Another approach to promoting stakeholder buy-in is the communication of
clear goals and objectives to be achieved by the solution and the role of the stakeholders in the
implementation of the solution (Baugh, 2015).
Assignment 2
6
References
Baugh, A. (2015). Stakeholder Engagement: The Game Changer for Program
Management (Vol. 18).London, UK: CRC Press.
FEMA.gov. (2016). Guidance for stakeholder engagement. Retrieved from
https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1470348198442d9e138fdb3eb73a352fd7a1ffc713eb0/SE_Data_and_Product_Dev_Guidance_May_2016
_508.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2008). FEMA Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2008–
2013. Emergency Management-FEMA
Kotter, J. P., & Whitehead, L. A. (2010). Buy-in: Saving your good idea from getting shot down.
Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press.
Assignment 3
1
Technology Influences
Name
University
Professor
CRJ499 Capstone in Criminal Justice
January 29, 2018
Assignment 3
2
Technology Influences
The problem identified at FEMA is the slow and ineffective approach towards mitigating
disasters based on the lack of sufficiently experienced and well trained professionals within the
agency. The agency has failed to fulfil its duties towards mitigating, responding and recovering
from emergency situations due to poor management practices brought about by the lack of
inexperienced leaders and professionals within the agency. The paper below explores the role of
technology on the problem and the influence technology will have on the implementation of the
solution.
Technology and its contribution to the problem
The fact that the technologies used at FEMA are not well integrated has resulted in the
situation in which different information that cannot be used to inform decision making are
provided. The lack of specific analytical information systems has led to a situation in which the
hiring practices are obsolete and outdated (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008).
Although FEMA actively collects information of its employees to better understand its human
resources needs the information systems have not been effective at supporting substantial
recruitment strategies within the department.
The information systems at FEMA have failed to provide adequate personal information
that would support the recruitment of talented and experienced emergency personal within the
agency. The current information systems within the agency are designed to capture information
about personnel such as compensation but fail to accurately capture information such as job
analysis information which would have been used to improve the recruitment processes within
the agency (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2008). Therefore, poor integration of
Assignment 3
3
information systems with the human resource department within the agency are responsible for
this problem.
Technology implementation into the solution
The proposed solution is the development of new hiring practices that would enhance the
identification and selection of qualified and experienced emergency personnel who contribute
strategic ideas and views that are used to enhance the efficiency of FEMA in its response to
disaster situations. The adoption of a human resources information system (HRIS) into the
hiring practices within the agency will be effective in identifying and selecting experienced
professionals and leaders within the agency responsible for implementing mitigating and
response strategies that are effective in preventing disasters as well as effectively reacting to the
disasters (Compton, 2009).
HRIS can help to organized and optimize the recruitment and selection process
strengthening the acquisition of skilled professionals with the knowledge and the skills needed to
support disaster management initiatives within the agency. The information system will enhance
and facilitated comprehensive, faster and reliable processing of applications (Kavanagh &
Johnson, 2017). Furthermore, the information system will consolidate online application, outside
recruitment agency process as well as interview stages to enhance the pace at which qualified
employees are identified (Secord, 2003). The HRIS integrates data from job analysis
implemented within the agency and therefore help to highlight candidates with the perquisite
skills and knowledge needed to handle the duties and responsibilities of each position within
FEMA (Kavanagh & Johnson, 2017). Having such a system in place ensures that only those with
the required level of experience and expertise in disaster management are hired by the agency.
Assignment 3
4
The use of the HRIS will be essential to in attracting more qualified applicants who are
comfortable with the use of technology and this will mean that FEMA will have access to larger
pool of experienced professionals across the country. The process of properly filling out online
application forms and the following the required steps can help the agency to weed pout less
qualified applicants especially for top positions such as the director of the agency and other key
positions (Kavanagh & Johnson, 2017). The implementation of the HRIS at FEMA will be
critical to supporting the hiring practices within the agency enhancing the pace at which disasters
management services are provided by the agency.
Assignment 3
5
References
Compton, R. L. (2009). Effective recruitment and selection practices. CCH Australia Limited.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2008). FEMA Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2008–
2013. Emergency Management-FEMA
Kavanagh, M. J., & Johnson, R. D. (Eds.). (2017). Human resource information systems: Basics,
applications, and future directions. London, UK: Sage Publications.
Secord, H. (2003). Implementing best practices in human resources management. CCH
Canadian Limited.
Assignment 4
1
Data Collection
Name
CRJ499 Capstone in Criminal Justice
Professor
University
February 8, 2019
Assignment 4
2
Data Collection
Data is defined as the qualitative or the quantitative values placed on variables (Williams,
2007). Data is essential to validate that there is a problem within the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA). Secondary data has been collected through extensive review of
literature. Statistical data can help to quantify the magnitude of the problem as experienced
within the agency. Qualitative data in the form of written reports on the performance of FEMA
during recent disasters such as Hurricane Harvey and Maria in the last two years will also be
obtained.
Online libraries are important sources of secondary data on the problem of the
functionality of FEMA. Another important source of data is charts and statistics provided by
news organizations that cover disasters in the country. The New York Times, USA Today, CNN
and Fox News are examples of the news organizations that would be critical to providing
sufficient secondary information on the performance of FEMA during disasters. The news
agencies are actively involved in covering the operations of FEMA as it seeks to mitigate and
respond to disasters. The publications made my journalists provide an in-depth review of how
the problem of slow response within the agency manifests itself and it is for this reason that these
sources are so valuable to the problem
The sources such as online libraries are relevant to the problem as they provide access to
quality and reliable data gathered by previous researchers on the problem. Online libraries
further provide necessary access to peer reviewed articles and other publications such as books
are written on the problem of slow response within FEMA. News organizations provide recent
and more extensive information on the problems experienced by FEMA as it seeks to prevent,
mitigate and response to the various disasters (Bryman, 2016). The news organizations provide
Assignment 4
first-hand account from the reporters on the ground who are familiar with the operations of
FEMA and thus provide a more clear understanding of the problem based on personal
experiences and analysis thus providing critical insight to understanding this issue.
3
Assignment 4
4
References
Bryman, A. (2016). Social research methods. Oxford university press.
Williams, C. (2007). Research methods. Journal of Business & Economic Research, 5(3), 65-72.
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