Management Brief Grading Rubric

CRJU/POSC 320 – Introduction to Public Administration

By Dr. David P. Adams

📊 Overview

Your Management Brief Project is worth 45% of your total course grade. The project is graded in five stages totaling 100 points, and each stage has its own rubric in Canvas. Later stages carry more weight as your analysis deepens:

Stage Focus Points
Stage 1 Problem Statement and Research Foundation 10
Stage 2 Stakeholder Analysis and Context 15
Stage 3 Organizational Problems and Civil Service Analysis 20
Stage 4 Management Challenges and Solutions 25
Stage 5 Final Recommendations and Executive Summary 30
TOTAL 100

The stage rubrics below match the rubrics attached to each Canvas assignment. Refer to them as you draft, revise, and finalize your brief.

✅ Stage 1: Problem Statement and Research Foundation (10 points)

Criterion What we look for Points
Problem definition States a clear, specific public administration problem with a focused angle 3
Significance and evidence Explains why the issue matters using 2–3 current (2022+) sources 3
Kettl Ch. 1–3 integration Applies the public values triangle (Ch. 2) and “what government does” (Ch. 3) concepts with citations 2
Writing clarity Writes clearly and stays within the 400–600 word range 1
Google Doc submission Shares the Google Doc with the instructor as Editor and submits the link 1

✅ Stage 2: Stakeholder Analysis and Context (15 points)

Criterion What we look for Points
Stakeholder mapping Identifies primary and secondary stakeholders and their interests/incentives 4
Contextual factors Identifies political, legal, and resource constraints affecting implementation 4
Kettl Ch. 4–6 integration Applies at least two concepts from Ch. 4–6 (e.g., organizational theory, executive branch structure) with page citations 3
Writing clarity and development Builds clearly on Stage 1 within the 500–700 word range 2
Google Doc process Continues in the same shared Google Doc with Suggesting mode on 2

✅ Stage 3: Organizational Problems and Civil Service Analysis (20 points)

Criterion What we look for Points
Structural analysis Analyzes organizational design, coordination, and accountability issues 5
Human capital challenges Analyzes personnel, management capacity, and organizational culture issues 5
Kettl Ch. 7–9 integration Applies organization problems, administrative reform, and civil service concepts with page citations 4
Writing clarity and development Builds clearly on prior stages within the 500–700 word range 3
Google Doc process Continues in the same shared Google Doc with Suggesting mode on 3

✅ Stage 4: Management Challenges and Solutions (25 points)

Criterion What we look for Points
Administrative challenges Analyzes decision-making, implementation, and performance-measurement problems 6
Preliminary solutions Proposes practical process, resource, or structural solutions 6
Kettl Ch. 10–12 integration Applies human capital, decision-making, and budgeting concepts with citations 5
Writing clarity and development Builds clearly on prior stages within the 600–800 word range 4
Google Doc process Continues in the same shared Google Doc with Suggesting mode on 4

✅ Stage 5: Final Recommendations and Executive Summary (30 points)

Criterion What we look for Points
Final recommendations Proposes three specific recommendations with implementation strategy, feasibility, and expected outcomes 8
Kettl Ch. 13–15 integration Applies implementation, regulation, and accountability concepts with page citations 6
Executive summary Revises a clear, compelling, stand-alone summary with a call to action 6
Project cohesion and APA citations Presents all five stages as one coherent document with complete APA citations 5
Final Google Doc submission Uses Suggesting mode, accepts suggestions for a clean final version, and submits the link. The document must be titled Management Brief – [Last Name] – [Topic Choice], carry your name, and end with a complete APA reference list 5

🧾 Evaluation Notes

🟢 Strengths

Where did you demonstrate insight, depth, or strong integration of theory?

🟡 Suggestions

What would improve your analysis, clarity, or use of evidence?

🔴 Concerns

Any issues with citations, source quality, writing integrity, or development process?

🚫 Academic Integrity Reminders

The following will result in automatic zero for that week’s assignment:

💡 Tips for Success