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Donella Meadows, the pioneer of systems thinking and author of Thinking in Systems: A Primer, defines a system as “an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something. If you look at that definition closely for a minute, you can see that a system must consist of three kinds of things: elements, interconnections, and a function or purpose” (2008, p. 11). In this Discussion, you will identify systems within an organization and define what systems thinking means to you.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To prepare for this Discussion:
Consider an organization with which you are familiar. This can be a current or former employer. Then, using Meadows’s definition of a system, think about the various systems that make up this organization and the multiple elements within these systems.
After identifying some examples of systems within an organization, consider how you would define systems thinking.
BY DAY 3
Post an analysis of the use of systems thinking within an organization. In your analysis, do the following:
Provide a brief description of your selected organization.
Identify two examples of systems within the organization, including an explanation of the elements, interconnections, and purpose of each. (Remember: To be an actual system, all three features must be present.)
Provide a one-sentence definition for systems thinking. (Note: The intent is for you to provide a definition of what it means to you, not a formal definition.)
Refer to the Week 1 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.
Important Note About Discussion Rubrics: In the peer-to-peer engagement section of the Discussion, the focus of your posts and responses should be to promote quality interaction with your colleagues and Instructor, to further the dialogue on the particular topic, to deepen your mutual understanding of concepts, and to draw out new ideas. Although you are encouraged to provide support for ideas you bring in from other sources, which is appropriate for discourse within a master’s-level classroom, emphasis is placed on the quality of the engagement as noted in the Discussion rubrics, with 40% of your score based on your level of engagement in the ongoing conversation with your colleagues.
Read some of your colleagues’ postings.
