Your Final Project: Developing A Change Plan

In Your Final Project You Will Be Developing A Change Plan For Alaska

In your final project, you will be developing a change plan for Alaska Airlines. In order to begin developing this change plan, you will need to analyze the case study and diagnose the problem. This discussion will help you to become more familiar with the six parts of the Analysis and Diagnosis section of the final project case study: Problem, Impact, Organizational Needs, Variables, Underlying Causes, and Gaps.

Choose one of the parts above and become an ‘expert’ on that part of the final project and the information related to that part from the case study. For your initial post, identify which section you are an ‘expert’ on, summarize your understanding of what is being required of you for your chosen part as well as related content from the case study, and address the corresponding prompt for your section, located in the final project guidelines and rubric document under critical element I: Analysis and Diagnosis.

Be sure to read all of your classmates’ initial posts in order to gain a better understanding of the case study and to compare it with your own understanding. You will be ultimately responsible for understanding all the different parts of the analysis and diagnosis for the final project (Section I, A–F), but this collaboration from your peers will help you get started.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a comprehensive change plan for Alaska Airlines requires a meticulous analysis and diagnosis of the underlying issues affecting the organization. Among the six critical components—Problem, Impact, Organizational Needs, Variables, Underlying Causes, and Gaps—this paper will focus on the section concerning “Underlying Causes,” which plays a pivotal role in identifying the root issues that contribute to organizational challenges. Understanding the underlying causes is essential for devising effective intervention strategies that address the core problems rather than just their symptoms.

According to the case study, Alaska Airlines has been experiencing significant challenges related to declining customer satisfaction, operational inefficiencies, and increasing competitive pressure in the airline industry. While the surface-level issues like outdated technology or customer service complaints are readily apparent, a deeper analysis suggests that these symptoms stem from underlying systemic causes. For example, organizational culture may not prioritize innovation and responsiveness, leading to stagnation and less effective adaptation to market changes. Additionally, leadership shortcomings, such as resistance to change or lack of strategic vision, are identified as systemic underpinnings that perpetuate operational issues.

In this context, the task of analyzing the underlying causes involves a thorough investigation into the organizational structure, internal processes, and cultural dynamics that contribute to these persistent problems. This requires gathering qualitative and quantitative data to trace the origins of issues from their root causes. For Alaska Airlines, such causes may include insufficient investment in technological infrastructure, fragmented communication channels within departments, or a misalignment between strategic goals and operational capabilities.

Understanding these causes not only clarifies why certain problems persist but also guides the development of targeted solutions that can foster sustainable change. For instance, addressing cultural resistance to innovation may involve leadership development programs and change management initiatives. Correcting systemic process inefficiencies might necessitate reevaluating operational workflows and investing in new technologies that streamline operations.

In sum, the ‘Underlying Causes’ section is crucial because it moves beyond surface-level symptoms to identify the fundamental issues that, if resolved, can significantly improve organizational performance. My focus on this area within the case study has deepened my understanding of how root causes influence organizational health and the importance of tackling these causes directly to achieve long-term improvement and competitiveness for Alaska Airlines.

References

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