ASSESSMENT 1 BRIEF

Subject Code and Title MGT603: Systems Thinking

Part A: Proposal Individual (500 Words)
Assessment
Part B: Critique (500 Words)
Individual/Group Individual
Part A: One (1) Original Post (maximum 500 words)
Length
Part B: Two (2) Critiques, Each critique max. 250 words
a) Critically evaluate the paradigms of Systems Thinking
Learning Outcomes conceptualization and its application to contemporary
business issues
For regular class (12 Weeks Duration):
Part A: By 11:59 pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Module 2.2 (week 4)
Part B: By 11:59 pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Module 3.1 (week 5)
Submission
For intensive class (6 Weeks Duration):
Part A: By 11:59 pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Module 2.2 (week 2)
Part B: By 11:59 pm AEST/AEDT Friday of Module 3.1 (week 3)
Part A: 20%
Weighting
Part B: 20%
Part A: 20 marks
Total Marks
Part B: 20 marks

Context:
Systems thinking requires us to take a holistic view of the world we live in and the
organisations we work with. This assessment has been prescribed to appraise students’ ability
to think holistically and generate discussion around recognising and understanding
organisational operations using a Systems Thinking lens. The assessment will broaden
students’ knowledge of and appreciation for using a different approach to look for and solve
problems faced by managers in contemporary organisations.

This assessment has been designed to:

 Appraise your ability to academically research and evaluate paradigms of Systems
Thinking conceptualisation and apply to contemporary business issues.
 You are expected to utilise the literature provided in Modules 1 to 3.1 in your analysis
and discussion, and are required to apply critical thinking, presenting multi-sided
findings.
 Successful completion of this assessment will help you to further understand Systems
Thinking in a practical context. It will also help you to maintain currency in the
increasingly changing industry.

Guidelines: There are two (2) parts to MGT603 Assessment 1. For an acceptable
result, you will need to complete both Part A and Part B of MGT603 Assessment 1.

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 1 of 7

MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A):
Task Instructions:
1. Please review the MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A) list of case organisations (found in
the Assessment 1 – Part A Proposal Individual & Part B Critique Individual page on
MGT603 Blackboard).
2. From the MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A) list of case organisations, only choose ONE
(1) case organisation for MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A).
3. Read and research widely on the selected case organisation and find out how “COVID-
19 Pandemic” has created a significant issue/challenge/problem for your selected
case organisation in 2021 and how “Systems Thinking Approach” can assist in making
optimal decisions.
4. You are then required to prepare and post in the Assessment 1 Discussion Forum at
least ONE (1) original post identifying intended or unintended consequences on
various stakeholders of your chosen organisation and then recommend/propose
alternative policies/procedures using Systems Thinking approach to help overcome
the problem.

Key points to consider in your MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A):

 Your proposal should be “holistic”.

 You must include references to “Systems Thinking Literature”. Please make sure to
use at least 3 academic-related references (e.g. peer-reviewed journal articles,
book chapters, and conference papers) and at least 2 other references (e.g.
newspaper, magazines, websites, etc.). It is essential to use appropriate APA style
for citing and referencing research. For more information, please check
http://library.laureate.net.au/research_skills/referencing
 Make sure to consider using Systems Thinking tools such as Rich Picture and
CATWOE in your MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A).
 Make sure to number all sections and sub-sections within your assessment (e.g.
1, 1.1, etc.).
 All inserted Figures and Tables within the assessment require being labelled and
numbered appropriately (e.g. Figure 1: Rich Picture …., Table 1: CATWOE Analysis
….). They all require being initially stated/introduced and then discussed in-detail
and in-depth. Please make sure to provide the source/reference for the
information expressed via the Figures and Tables.
 Make sure to provide a brief rational of why it is important to use Systems Thinking
and relevant tools and techniques to solve the identified organisational problem to
minimize adverse consequences.
 Please make sure to write in the “third person” (e.g. The author, The writer, etc.).
 Please ensure your original posts are submitted in the MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part
A) Discussion Forum by the end of Module 2.2 (Friday of Week 4).

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 2 of 7

MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part B):
Task Instructions:
1. Each student is required to critique an original post (Part A) of two (2) peers.
2. Each Critique should be maximum of 250 words. Overall your Assessment 1 (Part B)
should be maximum of 500 words.
3. Your Critique should include commentary on:
 Whether the original post is holistic. Please identify missing components, if
any, and provide constructive feedback.
 Have all plausible consequences been identified?
 Have Systems Thinking tools been used and used properly? Please provide a
critique of these tools and their use in solving the identified problem.
 Please make sure to highlight the authors of the chosen posts.
 Please ensure to submit Assessment 1 (Part B) in the related Discussion Forum
Thread, by the end of Module 3.1 (Friday of Week 5)
 It is essential that you use appropriate APA style for citing and referencing
research where necessary and required. Please see more information on
referencing here http://library.laureate.net.au/research_skills/referencing

Key points to consider in your MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part B):

 This assessment is designed to create robust discussion around Systems Thinking

with your peers. Please feel free to post more than what is specified to broaden your
understanding and appreciation of the topic.
 While presenting your views, you are required to support claims either with the
relevant experience or with the published literature (e.g. Journal articles, book
chapters, relevant website links, news article, magazines).
 The views could be supporting comments and feedback, or they may be a
contradiction, but you need to provide appropriate justification as specified above.
 If referring to published literature to support stated views, you are required to cite
the reference(s) and list the reference(s) at the end of your response in the
“References” section. If you can provide appropriate articles to support an opinion,
it will be valued considerably.
 Along with actively participating in the discussions, it is equally important to provide
responses, which are relevant and add value to the discussion. The quality of
response will be considered as one of the most important criteria for evaluating
students in MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part B).

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 3 of 7

 MGT03 Assessment 1 (Part A) and (Part B) Submission Instructions:
 Submit MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part A) via the MGT603 Assessment 1 Part A
- Discussion Forum link in the Assessment section found in the main navigation
menu of the subject Blackboard site.
 Submit MGT603 Assessment 1 (Part B) via the MGT603 Assessment 1 Part B -
Discussion Forum link in the Assessment section found in the main navigation
menu of the subject Blackboard site.

The Learning Facilitator will provide constructive feedback via the Grade
Centre in the Student portal. Feedback can be viewed in My Grades.

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 4 of 7

 Learning Rubric: MGT603 Systems Thinking Assessment 1 Part A and Part B

Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction

Assessment
(Unacceptable) (Functional) (Proficient) (Advanced) (Exceptional)
Attributes
0-49% 50-64% 65-74% 75-84% 85-100%
Knowledge Limited Knowledge or Thorough knowledge or Highly developed A sophisticated
and understanding of understanding of understanding of the field understanding of the understanding of the
understanding required concepts the field or or discipline/s. Supports field or discipline/s. field or discipline/s.
(technical and and knowledge discipline. personal opinion and
theoretical information substantiated Discriminates between Systematically and critically
knowledge) Key components of Resembles a recall or by evidence from the assertion of personal discriminates between
the assignment are summary of key research/course opinion and information assertion of personal
Understands not addressed. ideas. materials. substantiated by robust opinion and information
theoretical Stakeholders, goals, Often confuses evidence from the substantiated by robust
models and intended and assertion of personal Demonstrates a research/course materials evidence from the
concepts unintended opinion with capacity to explain and and extended reading. research/course materials
consequences of the information apply relevant and extended reading.
Percentage for concepts. Well demonstrated
policy change are not substantiated by capacity to explain and
this criterion addressed. Tools and evidence from the Mastery of concepts and
Stakeholders, goals, apply relevant concepts. application to new
25% techniques of systems research/course
thinking such as Rich materials. intended and unintended situations/further learning.
consequences of the policy Stakeholders, goals, Stakeholders, goals,
picture, Causal loop intended and unintended
diagrams, etc. are not Stakeholders, goals, change are addressed at intended and unintended
intended and unintended appropriate level. Tools consequences of the policy consequences of the policy
identified. change are addressed
consequences of the and techniques of systems change are addressed
policy change are thinking such as Rich comprehensively. Tools and thoroughly.
addressed at very picture, Causal loop techniques of systems
preliminary level. Tools diagrams, etc. are used thinking such as Rich Tools and techniques of
and techniques of with clarity. picture, Causal loop systems thinking such as Rich
systems thinking such as diagrams, etc. are used with picture, Causal loop diagrams,
Rich picture, Causal loop high level of understanding. etc. are used demonstrating
diagrams, etc. are used mastery in the use of these
but at very superficial tools.
level.

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 5 of 7

 Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Assessment
(Unacceptable) (Functional) (Proficient) (Advanced) (Exceptional)
Attributes
0-49% 50-64% 65-74% 75-84% 85-100%
Context, Demonstrates no Demonstrates limited Demonstrates consistent Demonstrates an advanced Consistently demonstrates a
Audience and awareness of context awareness of context awareness of context and integrated systematic and critical
Purpose and/or purpose of the and/or purpose of the and/or purpose of the understanding of context understanding of context and
assignment. assignment. assignment. and/or purpose of the purpose of the assignment.
Percentage for assignment.
this criterion
25%
Analysis and Limited synthesis Demonstrated Well-developed analysis Thoroughly developed and Highly sophisticated and
application and analysis. analysis and synthesis and synthesis with creative analysis and creative analysis, synthesis
with synthesis of new knowledge application of synthesis of new with of new with existing
of new Limited application/ with application. recommendations existing knowledge. knowledge.
knowledge Recommendations linked to
based upon analysis. Shows the ability analysis/synthesis. Application of pretested Strong application by way of
Percentage for to interpret models and / or pretested models and / or
this criterion No critique on the relevant Critiqued on the peers’ independently developed independently developed
25% peers’ posts. Just information and post with appropriate models and justified models. Recommendations
summarized the peers’ literature. depth and insight. recommendations linked to are clearly justified based on
posts. analysis/synthesis. the analysis/synthesis.
Critiqued on the peers’ Applying knowledge to new
post however, there is Critiqued on the peers’ post situations/other cases.
lack of depth and insight. comprehensively covering Critiqued on the peers’ post
most of the missing aspect. comprehensively covering
most of the missing aspects
with creative insights.
Effective Difficult to understand, Information, arguments, Information, Information, arguments and Expertly presented; the
Communication no logical/clear and evidence are arguments and evidence are very well proposal and critique is
structure, poor flow of presented in a way that is evidence are well presented; the proposal and logical, persuasive, and well
Percentage for ideas, argument lacks not always clear and presented, mostly clear critique is logical, clear and supported by evidence,
this criterion supporting evidence. logical. flow of ideas and well supported by evidence. demonstrating a clear flow of
15% Audience cannot Line of reasoning is often arguments. Line of ideas and arguments.
follow the line of difficult to follow. reasoning is easy to
reasoning. follow.

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 6 of 7

 Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction
Assessment
(Unacceptable) (Functional) (Proficient) (Advanced) (Exceptional)
Attributes
0-49% 50-64% 65-74% 75-84% 85-100%
Correct citation Demonstrates Demonstrates use of Demonstrates use of high Demonstrates use of good Demonstrates use of high-
of key resources inconsistent use of credible and relevant quality, credible and quality, credible and quality, credible and relevant
and evidence good quality, credible resources to support and relevant resources to relevant resources to resources to support and
and relevant resources develop ideas, but these support and develop ideas. support and develop develop arguments and
Percentage for to support and develop are not always explicit or arguments and statements. position statements. Shows
this criterion ideas. well developed. Shows evidence of wide evidence of wide scope within
10% scope within the and without the organisation
organisation for sourcing for sourcing evidence.
evidence.

MGT603_ Assessment 1_ Part A & Part B Page 7 of 7