Competency

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competency:

• Apply the process of systems thinking

Scenario

You are an employee at a consulting firm that assists other  businesses in solving systems problems within their organizations. Ann  Jemisin, president of Lost Pines Outfitters, a local and online clothing  retailer, has asked for your assistance. During the intake process, she  sends information on her company, their processes, and the issues they  would like you to remedy. Your supervisor has asked you to create an  analysis of the existing systems in Anne’s business. Your analysis is an  initial appraisal of the situation at Lost Pines Outfitters, making  preliminary recommendations to address the issues identified by your  client. As you write your analysis, focus on the application of systems  thinking processes and best practices to the scenario and the identified  issues.

Directions

System Analysis

Lost Pines Outfitters has provided you with a specifications document  describing the current processes in place in their business, and the  issues they would like to address through the application of systems  thinking processes. Using this information, create an analysis that  addresses the following requirements:

• Description: Before you make recommendations to fix the system, you  must first describe the system in its current state. In your analysis, identify the parts of the current system,  and consider the main nodes of the system and the high-level processes  and components in place at Lost Pines Outfitters. Once you have  identified the parts of the system, describe the interactions and relationships between parts of the system and identify and describe the feedback loops in the system.
• Recommendations: Once you have described the current system, examine  the problems offered by the client. Using systems thinking principles, pose recommendations to existing systems based on client needs and systems thinking best practices.  In your recommendation, consider both the interactions and  relationships between parts of the system, as well as the feedback loops  present. Then, describe the potential impact of changes to the system.  In your recommendations and description, focus on the application of  systems thinking concepts and best practices to the identified problems.
• Modeling: Following your analysis and recommendation, construct a model of a system including recommended changes.  This model should represent your recommended changes and include parts,  interactions, relationships, and feedback loops for your recommended  changes.
• Conclusion: In the conclusion of your analysis, describe the benefits of systems thinking within a business environment.  In this description, demonstrate how the application of systems  thinking allowed you to analyze the problems and equipped you to solve  the identified issues.

What to Submit

To complete this project, you must submit the following:

Systems Analysis
Generate a report that analyzes  the current systems in place at Lost Pines Outfitters and recommends  changes to these systems/processes in line with client requests. This  report should include initial recommendations for process and technology  improvements focused on enhancing the client’s systems. Additionally,  the report should contain a visualization modeling the recommended  system for the client.

Your report should be 900–1,250 words and contain at least one system visualization created using Microsoft Visio.

Supporting Materials

The following resource(s) may help support your work on the project:

Scenario Information: Client Specifications – Lost Pines Outfitters Word Document
You have been provided with information on Lost Pines Outfitters, including their current processes.

Project Three Rubric

 Criteria Exemplary (100%) Proficient (85%) Needs Improvement (55%) Not Evident (0%) Value      System Components Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Identifies and describes the parts of a given system Shows progress toward proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may include thoroughness in descriptions Does not attempt criterion 15   System Relationships Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Describes the interactions, relationships, and feedback loops within a given system Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may  include conceptual clarity and precision in descriptions Does not attempt criterion 15   System Recommendations Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Poses recommendations to existing systems based on client needs and systems thinking best practices Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may  include conceptual clarity in recommendations and supporting reasoning Does not attempt criterion 15   System Modifications Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Describes the potential impacts of changes to a given system Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may  include conceptual clarity and precision in descriptions, and use of  systems thinking concepts in recommendations Does not attempt criterion 15   System Modeling Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Constructs a model of a system including recommended changes Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may  include accuracy, clarity, logic, detail, and thoroughness Does not attempt criterion 15   Systems in Business Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Describes the benefits of systems thinking within a business environment Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors or omissions; areas for improvement may  include conceptual clarity and precision in descriptions Does not attempt criterion 15   Articulation of Response Exceeds proficiency in an exceptionally clear, insightful, sophisticated, or creative manner Clearly conveys meaning with correct  grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, demonstrating an  understanding of audience and purpose Shows progress toward  proficiency, but with errors in grammar, sentence structure, and  spelling, negatively impacting readability Submission has critical errors in grammar, sentence structure, and spelling, preventing understanding of ideas 5   Citations and Attributions Attributes sources where applicable using citation methods with very few minor errors Attributes sources where applicable, but with consistent minor errors Attributes sources where applicable, but with major errors Does not attribute sources where applicable 5   Total: 100%