MPA511

 

Read This Week

 

The Basics of Public Budgeting and Financial Management

• Chapter 6: Budget Techniques & Analytical Models, pgs. 157-186

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

M6D1: Forecasting

 

SEE ATTACHED .PDF FILE FOR MODULE ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Let’s engage in some dialogue. It’s one thing to read about a topic. But, in order to learn, we need to think, write, and talk about the topic. We’ve combined the module notes with a discussion so that you may jot down your thoughts, insights, questions, etc. as you read.

Within the notes, you’ll find guiding questions, articles, and videos to help spark the conversations. To start the course off, let’s talk about the differences between public and private budgets. Let’s also explore the implications of federal budget differences on the general public.

 

M6A1: Failure to Forecast

 

Pick one of the eight (8) companies listed in the USA Today article Eight Founders Who Ruined Their Companies (Links to an external site.). Provide a detailed analysis on the impact of failing to plan for change. Provide recommendations on how this could have been avoided.

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/02/09/founders-ruin-companies/1905921/

 

Submit

Please prepare a 2-4 page summary analysis on the adversity faced by your selected company. Discuss any forecasting methods that might have assisted the company in thwarting the negative situation encountered. This will require a bit of research on your part. However, I believe you will find many articles relative to these companies and the challenges encountered that led to the financial situation highlighted in the above USA Today article. Be sure to cite your resources in APA format.

M6 Student Wrap Up

 

Submit

You have made recommendations to the leadership for their decision on “next steps” based on your chosen modeling technique of analysis.

The decision leadership must make requires an appreciation of the financial condition of the agency or organization. This function is defined as financial management. As a county executive, you may be asked for your qualified opinion on a project or plan that requires reconsideration and reallocation of funding to justify the project or eliminate it entirely.

Returning to our example of household management, high-level decisions are made when all factors are considered. In your household, there is not much difference. You consider income, additional sources of revenue, and expenses. That leads to determining if it is cost-effective for that home renovation project? Thoughts?