Reference no: EM134042139 , Length: Word Count:2000

Systems Thinking - Systems Archetypes Analysis Report

Learning Outcome 1: Critically evaluate key paradigms of Systems Thinking and their application to contemporary business issues.

Learning Outcome 2: Develop a visual representation of complex multi-dimensional situations that capture multiple stakeholder perspectives.

Learning Outcome 3: Analyse and apply systems modelling tools to integrate, optimise and enhance business processes.

Assessment Task

You continue in your role as an external Systems Thinking consultant. Applying your knowledge of Modelling Systems and System Interventions, uncover the underlying structures that drive problematic behaviours within the case scenario provided by your Subject Coordinator, and produce a client-ready report that a genuine executive team could act on. This scenario is based on a real, current event or situation unfolding in the world during this trimester, so your diagnosis of specific System Archetypes must be grounded in the verifiable, up-to-date facts of that scenario rather than generic textbook description.

Using your analysis, propose two (2) or three (3) important holistic recommendations designed to optimise the current system that is under investigation. These interventions should address the root causes identified rather than merely treating surface-level symptoms.

Please refer to the Instructions section for detailed completion requirements.

Context

System structures are the primary drivers of organisational behaviour. While some issues are unique, many stem from recurring patterns known in Systems Thinking as System Archetypes. By identifying these archetypal, problem-generating structures, you can move beyond reactive fixes and develop interventions that address the fundamental source of a problem. This perspective can also be considered alongside the Management System Concept.

Instructions

Read and understand the topics covered in the Modelling Systems and System Interventions modules.

In Week 5, your Subject Coordinator will provide two (2) case scenarios. Select one (1) to focus on, conduct thorough research on the real-world event or situation it represents, using recent credible news reporting and industry insights. You should draw from resources such as the Torrens University Library, IBISWorld, and Google Search to ensure your report reflects the most up-to-date facts available.

As a consultant, write a report in 2,000 words or less on how and why Modelling Systems and System Interventions knowledge and understanding can be utilised and applied to the case study to understand the underlying structures of the unwanted system behaviours. You are required to provide two (2) or three (3) important holistic recommendations to help and support the case study to optimise its current situation.

Please structure your report as follows:

Executive Summary: In 150-200 words, summarise your entire report. For instance, you will need to provide brief statements of the main points, which include, but are not limited to, the purpose of your report, the methodology you have used to solve the problem and the findings of your report.

Table of Contents: List all the sections of your report with their corresponding page numbers.

Introduction: Introduce the case study under investigation (e.g. company history, mission and vision, market share, performance highlights, etc.). Then, identify and discuss the two (2) or three (3) problematic system behaviours.

System Archetypes and System Interventions' Roles for Developing and Formulating Data Driven Solutions: Discuss ‘how' and ‘why' system archetypes and System Interventions knowledge and understanding can help and support the case study in developing and articulating data-driven solutions for the identified two (2) or three (3) problematic system behaviours.

System Archetypes Impeding Organisational Performance: Based on your preliminary analysis, identify and discuss only those system archetypes that you believe are impeding the organisational performance of the case study. You are required to discuss and apply the identified system archetype(s) to the case study. Ensure that all inserted figures are captioned/labelled and numbered accordingly (e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.). Please note that causal loop diagrams (CLDs) or archetype figures created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not be accepted. Immediately after each figure, add a short (50-75 words) Design Rational explaining, in your own words, why you selected that specific system archetype over plausible alternatives, based on the evidence provided in the Week 5 case scenario.

Recommendations/Solutions: Identify and discuss two (2) or three (3) data-driven and well-supported recommendations or solutions which the case study can consider eliminating the impeding factors for optimised organisational performance.

Reflective Practice: In approximately 150 words, reflect as an emerging Systems Thinking practitioner on which system archetype was hardest to distinguish from plausible alternatives in the Week 5 case scenario, why it was difficult, and how you would apply this diagnostic skill in your own future professional practice.

Conclusion: Briefly discuss a synthesis of the main points in the report. The conclusion section must remind the reader what the report is about.

References: Review and use a minimum of five (5) academic references (e.g. journal articles, book chapters, textbooks, conference papers, etc.) and at least three (3) non-academic references (e.g. company websites, newspaper articles, government websites, consultants' reports, etc.). Ensure all sources are high quality, credible and relevant. References should be listed alphabetically and unnumbered. Please avoid using Wikipedia or non-academic wikis.

Tips and Advice:

On a separate page preceding the Executive Summary, please include the following information: Subject Code and Title, Assessment Number and Task, Student Name and Surname, Student Number, Trimester, and Year.

Write the report in third person (e.g. the writer, the consultant, the author, etc.).

Ensure all sections of the report are appropriately and accurately labelled and numbered.

Ensure Any inserted diagram/picture is labelled/captioned as ‘Figure' and is numbered appropriately (e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.). Provide the reference(s), if any.

Ensure any inserted table in the report is labelled/captioned as ‘Table' and is numbered appropriately (e.g. Table 1, Table 2, etc.). Provide the reference(s), if any.

Note that the Executive Summary, Table of Contents, Inserted Tables and Figures, and the References List are excluded from the total word count.

Consult and make significant reference to the subject content, including other readings and relevant literature.

Referencing

It is essential that you use current APA style for citing and referencing the sources that you use