100% (1)
page:
14 pages/≈3850 words
Sources:
15
Style:
APA
Subject:
Business & Marketing
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 60.48
Topic:

System Thinking: Reply to the CFO

Essay Instructions:

Overview

In this Performance Task Assessment, you will analyze multiple case studies in order to demonstrate your ability to apply systems components, modeling, leverage points, and interventions to improve system performance systems.

Professional Skills: Written Communication and Critical Thinking are assessed in this Competency. You are strongly encouraged to use the Academic Writing Expectations Checklist when completing this Assessment.

Your response to this Assessment should:

• Reflect the criteria provided in the Rubric.

• Adhere to the required length.

• Conform to APA style guidelines. You may use Walden Writing Center’s APA Course Paper Template.

This Assessment requires submission of one file. When you are ready to upload your completed Assessment, use the Assessment tab on the top navigation menu.

Instructions

Before submitting your Assessment, carefully review the rubric. This is the same rubric the assessor will use to evaluate your submission and it provides detailed criteria describing how to achieve or master the Competency. Many students find that understanding the requirements of the Assessment and the rubric criteria help them direct their focus and use their time most productively.

Rubric

Access the following to complete this Assessment:

• Opportunity Consultants, Inc., Case Study

• Baria Planning Solutions Case Study

• Facilitating Systemic Thinking in Business Classes

• Bayonne Packaging, Inc., Case Study

• Problem Identification - Simple Gap Analysis and the 5-Whys

• How to Use the 5-Whys for Root Cause Analysis

• Tree Diagram Example

• Causal Loop Diagrams

• The System Archetypes

• Academic Writing Expectations Checklist

This assessment has four-parts. Click each of the items below to complete this assessment.

Part I: Laws of the Fifth Discipline and the Value of Systems Thinking

Read the scenario as well as the Introduction and Chapter 1 of the Meadows text, the Cathon article on the Learning Organization, the Zemke article on Systems Thinking, and the other material required, and then respond to the prompts that follow.

Scenario

As an expert in systems analysis, you’ve received an e-mail from the chief financial officer (CFO) of XYZ Manufacturers to discuss a potential consulting project. The CFO is vaguely familiar with the concept of systems thinking but isn’t sure it could be successfully applied to her fast-paced, global business.

• Based on your knowledge of systems thinking and the learning organization, reply to the CFO’s enquiry by explaining at least three challenges of managing complex organizations and how and why effective systems thinking can help improve their performance. Support your response and reasoning with explicit and appropriate references to the readings and with at least two other theoretical frameworks or academic references about systems thinking and practice. (2 -3 paragraphs)

• Having learned about systems thinking and the learning organization, and reviewed at least one other theoretical framework or academic reference about general systems thinking and practice, give at least two examples, from your experiences in organizations, in which the application of systems thinking could have helped the organization become more effective. Be clear in explaining which specific principles and concepts from systems thinking could have helped in the examples you choose, and explain how and why. (4 - 5 paragraphs)

Part II: Gap Analysis Using the 5-Whys

Read the “Opportunity Consultants, Inc., Case Study” and then respond to the following prompts:

• Using a systems approach, analyze the performance of Opportunity Consultants, Inc. and develop a case-specific “effect-cause-effect logic” tree diagram using the 5-Whys analytic tool. See the Rubric for details on what this diagram should contain.

• Write a summary description of your diagram with specific recommendations for improving the club’s performance that are linked to your diagram analysis. (1–2 pages)

Part III: Gap Analysis With Causal Loop Modeling

Read the “Baria Planning Solutions Case Study” and “Facilitating Systemic Thinking in Business Classes” documents, and then respond to the following prompts:

• Using a formal systems diagramming approach, analyze Baria’s performance and develop a robust “effect-cause-effect logic” tree diagram using the 5-Whys tool, as in Part One.

• Create an appropriate, simple causal loop diagram (CLD) that incorporates relevant and logical feedback loops to capture the fundamental system behaviors, outcomes, and causes in the “Baria Planning Solutions Case Study.” See the Rubric for details on what this diagram should contain.

• Write a summary description, including specific recommendations, that links directly to your 5-Whys and CLD analyses for improving Baria’s sales support operations and organization as a whole. (1–2 pages)

Part IV: Robust Causal Loop Modeling

Read the “Bayonne Packaging, Inc., Case Study” and “The System Archetypes” documents, and then respond to the following prompts:

• Using a formal systems diagramming approach, analyze Bayonne’s organizational performance and develop a robust “effect-cause-effect logic” tree diagram using the 5-Whys tool, as in Part One.

• Create a robust causal loop diagram (CLD) that incorporates appropriate causal loop logic in the analysis and that also identifies common system archetype patterns within the diagram. This diagram should describe fundamental system behaviors and outcomes.

• Write a summary description, including specific recommendations, that links directly to your CLD analysis (which includes embedded archetype relationships) for improving the packaging company’s operations and the organization as a whole. (1–2 pages)

FALLOW BY THE RUBRIC-SEPARATE PDF FILE UPLOAD TO FALLOW BY THE RUBRIC TO PASS

Essay Sample Content Preview:
System Thinking Students Name Institutional Affiliation Course Date Part 1 Reply to the CFO I understand that you require an explanation to three issues that a firm is likely to encounter due to the complexities in management and ways in which system thinking can assist in overcoming and making improvement regarding the complexities. Some of the complications which can be solved through system thinking include * The thought of being the one in charge, this is where the management thinks that it is proactive in areas although it is considered to be reactive. * The issue of where a staff recognizes only with their responsibilities that they are in charge of every day and not the goal of or more prominent company. * The thought that the enemy is out there is another issue which the managers quickly blame when things are not working in their favour instead of blaming themselves. I think that application of system thinking will improve organizational productivity and thus, it is essential for a person to get a clear understanding of a system. A system can be defined as an integrated component of aspects that are arranged in an accurate manner to help in attaining of a particular goal. System thinking is a component that is used as a whole in the development of a framework that aids them in identifying any problem in a simple way of identifying issues and save them accordingly. System thing is more focused on the analysis which focuses on different ways through which the parts of a system interrelate and ways in which the systems operate over a certain period and how they facilitate the system operations. System thinking can be used in different areas of research. In a system thinking approach, the system behaviors is as a result of the effects of reinforcing and trying to balance the procedure. System thinking usually uses computer simulations and diagrams to predict the behaviours of a system. The system behaviours are considered to be an emergent phenomenon because how a system behaves makes it hard to determine by the inspections of the structure. The feedback loops are responsible for controlling the dominant dynamic behaviours. The feedback is considered to be a series of connection that causes the outputs from one par to have an impact input to that similar part. The flow is circular and usually results in amplifications which leads to the gross action of the whole system. In system thinking all the systems are made up of interconnected parts, these connections can cause behaviours changes of one part to have an impact on the other parts. Since all the pieces are connected, a move to one element tends to affect the whole system. Also, the form of the system tends to determine the behaviors; architecture is a part of the connection that determines how a system is organized. System behaviour usually depends on relationships. When one wants to adapt to another style in the system thinking the five elements that much be considered include; mutual vision, mental models, framework thinking, individual authority, and group learning. The component of particular mystery assists in having a bright look in our selves which helps in creating a sense of patient and to identify with the reality. Personal mystery usually occurs where an individual has a vision combined with an accurate reality perception. The gap that exists between the truth and the vision drives a person to be able to participate in all the activities which will help them in realizing that particular vision. The mental model is the pictures that affect the way through which the individual view the world and their actions. The staff must perceive the estimates of the organization and what the enterprise is all about. A right cognizance of what the personality is will be applied in picturing where to go and how to accomplish the goals. The affiliation must be versatile in accommodating the different changes to the new mental models and other image of the organization. The best firm is made up of individuals who can learn and change following new models and make them to be fast than its adversaries. The aspect of a shared vision is mainly based on the organizational principles that help to uncover the picture of the association future set up a real commitment and affirmation rather than consistence. The vision should be made through interaction with the agents in the undertaking. Various pioneers have personal visions which should be made a reality. The most crucial approach in creating a shared vision is through compromising the affiliations and visions. People without a comparable vision will not be able to work towards system thinking as required. The impact of having a similar vision is that labourers do tasks because they have to engage in all the activities. Team building assists individuals to make observations in the interactions which helps to recognize the problems which can destabilize the use of system thinking. To accomplish shocking utilitarian discipline by which personal strength and shared vision are joined together (Senge, 2016). It is essential for the workforce to consider its accomplices as partners as opposed to adversaries. Through the underlying advance people can set up trades wherein people tend to be vulnerable and show their authentic personality. The work environment should be ensured where guiltless slip-ups are given attention. Something different, no learning can be experienced. When the first disciplines have been considered, it becomes easy to be able to view system thinking as a significant component of a system. This shows that system thinking is the fifth element that is used in assimilating the other four disciplines and merges them into one application part for practice and also a theory (Wheelwright & Schimdt, 2011). For example, without the system thinking, there is a possibility that there is no understanding of the visions that are made by the organization. Metamora describes system thinking that meaning that there is a shift in mind and that an organization requires to have a change in the thinking process in concern with the running of the organization. Examples Up to now, I have employed for 14 years, and yet through all this time, I was not able to comprehend the reason behind why successful organizations could suddenly collapse at times. When an individual is absorbed in a large firm, it tends to be a routine that they care more about their duties and positions and thus do not even consider working towards the achieving of the organizational goals. I decided to continue with my career and have learned on the existence of the five disciplines that a company must achieve so that they can achieve their mission and vision. Reflecting on the data concerning the company departments and system thinking, I recall the company of the very file that I was working with and how these aspects of system thinking and organizational learning would have been important and offer excellent results for the company (Hainess, 2016). The issues that the organization faced is that the administration was delusional from getting the experiences considering the fact that they believed they are in their position. For example, I recall when a shipment failed to arrive at the expected period, the management blamed the shipping department (Šanda & Křupka, 2015). They assumed that the employees were just idling around instead of working. In this case, if the leadership could have stepped up to the plate in deciding the genuine purposes behind the postponement of the shipment, they would have had the option to discover different associations were delayed in assembling the item that prompted the division that is accountable for delivery to have delays in getting the sent items. In the event that the association at that time had adequate information in the parts of authoritative learning and framework figuring it would have been entirely feasible for them to have the option to examine the realities and not the flaws that lead to the shipment delays. Another example is that at one time, I was working with an organization that used a decentralized system of administration thus the departments were working independently but were managed by the top managers (Vlk, 2012). The issue in such association is that with regards to the undertaking of the exceptional exercises, for example, acquirement there is constantly an irreconcilable situation. In this case, I believe that system thinking will serve a better function by making it easier to conduct all the activities among the various departments. System thinking could have made it easier for coordinating the activities. For two instances, it becomes definite that logical thinking can be important for the first organization because it is important and has an aspect of clarifying that makes them possible in making sensible decisions. The process of thinking helps in combining different statements and ideas so as to reach an effective idea. The second organization needs casual thinking because it already has a good administration culture, and thus they only need to find a better way of ensuring that the firm's activities are coordinated to make the firm successful. Another way in which the company can benefit from system thinking is through feedback. The message that was delivered to the company’s hierarchy was negative, and also was not transparent in regard as to why they need the different goals of the firms to be achieved (Sutedi, 2018). In system thinking, the issue of feedback is required to give a clear image in regard to the objective of an organization and assist the employees in learning more from the information. Lastly, the organization shut down because of the lack of a more extensive goal on the heading where they needed their enterprise to take. I have friends within the organization's hierarchy, it is tragic that they have not implemented issues concerning their points of view. On the off chance that they had taken classes on the framework figuring they could be better pioneers. Part 2 Gap analysis using the five whys The problem statement OCI has a bad reputation in which it impact the club and the school at large. Also, there has been a team that was formed to gauge if there are a bad status and ways in which the firm can gain a better reputation. First Level Why The level has two aspects of acquiring clients and getting to identify the appropriate project to be used. In the acquisition of the clients, the advertisement was only done through word of mouth fro the customers who were satisfied. In instances where the customers are satisfied, they tend to promote the project, and those that their needs are not meet will talk negatively concerning the organization (Nakiyimba, 2014). The project selection was low because there were minimal astounding advancements that were achieved in the OCI. The technique is upgrading the ad in the college and business networks that were close. This won't naturally be a moment ...
Updated on
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

👀 Other Visitors are Viewing These APA Essay Samples:

Sign In
Not register? Register Now!