Introduction to Systems Thinking
Subject to final university approval
Mr John Barton
6 points * 39 hours * Caulfield
Objectives On completion of this subject students will be able to apppreciate the importance of using systemic frameworks when communicating ideas and when defining and analysing problems; demonstrate a basic level of competence in the application of systems thinking tools including systemic approaches to problem formulation, establishing system boundaries at various levels of aggregation of systems, and developing both causal diagrams and structural diagrams for systems; develop simulation models of simple feedback structures and investigate their dynamics; interpret prepared simulation models and use them to analyse policy options.
Synopsis Background to systems thinking; problem formulation skills; archetypal problems; beer game participation; establish the need for a language for describing and analysing systems; soft systems methodologies; causal loop diagrams; system dynamic models; case study applications.
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 40% * Modelling exercise: 30% * case study - simulation model: 30%