Task 1: Applies Systems Thinking Basics

Introduction: 

In this task, you will choose one case study from the attached “Case Studies” document. You will analyze the case study using the concepts covered in Section 1 of the course (the Iceberg Tool and the Behavior Over Time graph). You will apply the principles and foundational theory of systems thinking to the chosen case study by using the Iceberg Tool to identify the case’s key events, patterns, and underlying structure. Next, you will use the attached “Case Study 1 Graphs” or “Case Study 2 Graphs” for the case study you chose, and you will select the Behavior Over Time graph that best represents the patterns you identified. Finally, you will write an analysis that discusses what the Iceberg Tool and Behavior Over Time graph reveal about the problem in the case study as well as the interconnections among the key events, patterns, and underlying structure of the system.  

Note: You must use one of the given case studies and both the Iceberg Tool and the Behavior Over Time graph. 

Requirements: 

A.   Analyze one of the given case studies from the attached “Case Studies” document by doing the following:

1.  Using the Iceberg Tool, write a summary of the analysis identifying key events, patterns, and the underlying structure that causes the identified events and patterns to occur.

2.  Choose the Behavior Over Time graph that best represents the patterns you identified using the attached “Case Study 1 Graphs” or “Case Study 2 Graphs” for the case study you chose.

 a.  Discuss why the chosen Behavior Over Time graph best represents the patterns present in the chosen case study.

3.  Write an analysis that discusses what the Iceberg Tool and Behavior Over Time graph reveal about the problem in the case study as well as the interconnections between the key events, patterns, and underlying structure of the system.

B.  Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

C.  Demonstrate professional communication in the content and presentation of your submission.

Case Study 1:

Wilde’s Bramble is an organic food company started by a couple who grew up in rural Vermont, Alder and Calla Wilde. Living on a small farm created with tracts of land from both sets of parents, the Wildes decided to grow and sell organic products. They began by bringing their products to local farmers’ markets and when word got around of the high-quality and delicious offerings, local shops and restaurants began to buy and resell their products too.

The increase in the number of customers led to more pressure to produce, so the Wildes used some money from savings to lease more farmland and ramp up production. They also needed additional equipment, more power, and a new barn.

To keep up with costs, Alder and Calla began to rely on a credit card. As the credit card payments increased and the finance charges piled up, they took out a mortgage on the farm, and Calla found a job away from the farm to help with cash flow. The outlook began to dim as the ever-increasing debt—which helped the cash flow problem in the moment but added to the overall crunch—threatened to overwhelm them.

Case Study 2:

Recently, the historical growth in the global economy has begun to slow. As a result, many consumer goods manufacturers are experiencing a slowdown in sales and Better For You All, an all-natural breakfast cereal manufacturer, is no exception.

Breakfast food companies in general are struggling with competitors over prices, market share, and profits. Better For You All competes mainly on price because its products are not very innovative or unusual. As a result, it relies on regular price promotion campaigns.

Analysts have long pointed out that price promotion campaigns carry two undesirable side effects. First, promotions can erode brand image and encourage consumers to shop solely on price. This habit encourages manufacturers and retailers to rely on short-term promotions to pump up sales numbers. The second side effect is a greater concern. Better For You All’s dependence on sales promotions gives supermarkets great power because they are ultimately the ones who control promotions. Supermarkets can (and do) demand a wide range of subsidies from manufacturers. This means that discounts intended for consumers end up in retailers’ pockets, and that keeps Better For You All looking for a way to increase its brand distinction and its revenue.

Assumptions

D372 Introduction to Systems Thinking

Iceberg Tool to Understand Patterns and Structure

Questions to Ask

1.Explain what happened in this case study.

2.Explain how people reacted/responded to what happened.

3.Comparing the beginning of the case and the end, explain what changed and what continues the same.

4.Given the case study, what would you anticipate will happen next? How could the involved parties plan or prepare for that?

5.Explain the patterns you see in this case study, why they exist, and how they affect the system.

6.Explain how you could design or create a solution to transform this system and address the problem?

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Case Study ONE

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