Systems thinking is all about solving problems—in organizations, world situations, and even our personal lives. But it is not just a procedure; it is a different way

The final project for this course is the creation of a system analysis and recommendations report.

Systems thinking is all about solving problems—in organizations, world situations, and even our personal lives. But it is not just a procedure; it is a different way

of approaching problems. Our experience has shown that this approach can yield exciting new insights, even into problems that have existed for years and that

previously resisted attempts at improvement. Through this final project, you will have the opportunity to apply systems thinking to a real-world, contemporary

challenge in the same way you would use systems thinking in future professional and organizational situations.

In this project, you will apply systems thinking within a scenario that can be shaped by your personal or professional interests. First, you will select a challenge

area of focus—either one of the provided technological challenges below or your own choice approved by your instructor. For example, you might focus on a

situation in your current or in a former workplace or in an organization with which you are affiliated (church, volunteer work, etc.), or you may choose from one

of the emerging technology areas below:

 Autonomous vehicles

 Wearable and implantable technology

 Virtual and augmented reality

Then, you will refine your project focus by creating an identity for a client organization with vested interests in your chosen challenge area (this may be the

organization you work for or are affiliated with). In your first milestone, you will identify plausible perspectives and goals for this organization, including what

they see as the key problem related to the challenge area.

After you have established your project scenario and defined the problem, you will proceed as if you were a consultant recently hired by the organization. Using

the principles, methods, and concepts of systems thinking, your task will be to help your client address (or, potentially, think differently about) the problem.

Your work will include three main phases: identification and scoping of the problem, analysis of the systems producing the problem, and creation of

recommended system interventions supporting desired outcomes. The results of your investigation will be compiled in a system analysis and recommendations

report for your client organization to read and consider.

The project is divided into two milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final

submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Three and Six. The final product will be submitted in Module Nine.

In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:

 Illustrate the fundamental philosophical assumptions, conceptual frameworks, and problem-solving strategies of systems thinking using appropriate

terminology

 Characterize real-world organizations and situations as systems by logically applying systems patterns and modeling techniques

 Assess contemporary issues for their potential to be best understood and effectively addressed using a systems approach

 Develop informed recommendations for addressing current challenges by identifying possible system modifications and intervention strategies that lead

toward desired outcomes

Prompt

Your system analysis and recommendations report should answer the following prompt: From a systems thinking perspective, what is the true nature of your

client’s problem? What are the systems at play, how are the systems producing the issues, and how might one intervene in those systems to achieve desired

outcomes?

I. Introduction

A. Illustrate the conceptual framework underpinning your report.

i. Describe the key principles and methods of systems thinking. Remember that your audience (i.e., your client) may not be familiar with

this different approach to problem solving, so be sure to clearly articulate the major patterns and characteristics of a systems thinking

approach.

ii. Specifically, define the term “system.” Illustrate your answer with examples of the different types of systems archetypes.

B. Articulate the value of systems thinking. In other words, defend to your client why you believe your approach to this problem is sound. How

does systems thinking enable problem solving? How is this way of thinking distinct from systems engineering or other approaches to problem

solving?

C. Summarize the context of your report, including a brief description of your client organization and its identified problem.

II. System Modeling

A. Develop causal loop diagrams that apply to the case with at least 20 causal factors to illustrate. Be sure to use appropriate symbols that clearly

display the information in graphic form.

B. Develop stock and flow diagrams that apply to the case with at least 10 stocks and 20 causal factors to illustrate. Be sure to use appropriate

symbols that clearly display the information in graphic form.

III. Problem Analysis

A. Apply system archetypes to your case in order to better understand the problem. Illustrate your selections using specific examples.

B. Identify the extent to which there have been previous attempts at solving this or related problems. To what extent was systems thinking applied

in the previous attempts? What can be learned from them?

C. Identify the extent to which there are analogous problems or situations that contribute to your understanding of this case. What insights can

you glean from these similar cases?

D. Using a systems thinking approach, characterize the true nature of the problem as you see it. In other words, to what extent is there a “problem

behind the problem”? Cite specific evidence to support your conclusion.

IV. Recommended Interventions

A. Identify recommended interventions. Specifically, identify leverage points that can be used to modify the system, explain how they would be

applied to the system, and describe the possible impact of each.

B. Evaluate the likely effects of your recommended interventions for your client using specific evidence that supports your interpretation. To what

extent might there be unintended consequences and how might they be mitigated?

C. Finally, defend your use of the scientific method in arriving at and validating your recommended interventions. In what ways did you apply the

scientific method to test your recommended interventions? Cite specific evidence to support your claims.

Milestones

Milestone One: Introduction and Project Methodology

In Module Three, you will identify and describe the challenge area you wish to focus on for your final project, build your client profile, and formulate a problem

statement that leads to a systems thinking approach to address your client’s needs. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric.

Milestone Two: System Modeling and Problem Analysis

In Module Six, you will submit your system modeling and problem analysis (Sections II and III above). This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two

Rubric.

Final Submission: System Analysis and Recommendations Report

In Module Nine, you will determine your recommended interventions (Section IV above) and also write your introduction (Section I above). You will then revise

and incorporate your milestones to submit your final project in its entirety. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the

final project. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback and knowledge gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded with the Final Project

Rubric.

Final Project Rubric

Guidelines for Submission: Your report should be 10 to 12 pages in length with double spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font. All citations should be in

APA format.

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