B306B

Finals
Final 2006
1. Explain the concept of sustainable development. Why are group values as well as
individual values considered to be so important for sustainable development?
2. As system practitioner classify the following examples into one of the three
categories of management the engagement with stakeholders.
a. My use of LUMAS with my administrative team
b. A public inquiry into development a new residential area.
3. Discuss the various stages in brief of the LUMAS model through suitable
examples.
4. Draw a control model diagram illustrating the phenomenon of self-reinforcing
belief system. In what way can self-reinforcing beliefs regarded as system?
5. Distinguish between reflection-before-action, reflection-in-action, and reflectionon-action?
6. Explain the concept and different features of communities of practice?
Final 2007
1. Explain the concept of sustainable development. Why are group values as well as
individual values considered to be so important for sustainable development?
2. As system practitioner classify the following examples into one of the three
categories of management the engagement with stakeholders.
a. My use of LUMAS with my administrative team
b. A public inquiry into development a new residential area.
3. Discuss the various stages in brief of the LUMAS model through suitable
examples.
4. Draw a control model diagram illustrating the phenomenon of self-reinforcing
belief system. In what way can self-reinforcing beliefs regarded as system?
5. Distinguish between reflection-before-action, reflection-in-action, and reflectionon-action?
6. Explain the concept and different features of communities of practice?
Section B:
Refer to the Case Study in your answer to these questions:
1. Discuss the case insights while drawing any ONE systemic diagram for the
given case?
2. Describe how you address this case using one of
a. Hard System Method
b. Soft System Method
c. Viable System Method
3. You need to explain the basis of your choice of, and corresponding rejection
of methods. Your answer should also reflect your learning while applying
system thinking concepts in the given case
1

Final 2008
1. List the five features for each of "first Order" processes and "Second Order"
process while engaging with process design for emergent outcomes.
2. Discuss the connections between "values", "beliefs" and "Circumstances". Also
discuss how this connection is relevant to sustainable development situation; you
may enrich your explanation through suitable illustrations.
3. Explain the following term clearly through example.
a. System of interest
b. Situation of interest
c. System of inquiry
4. (Distinguish between reflection-before-action, reflection-in-action and reflection
on-action through suitable example.
5. Explain the five issues as discussed in dynamics of shadow?
6. Discuss the concept of "communities of practice". Also describe the three
features of "communities of practice".
Section B
1. Given a set of methods HS, SS and VSM methods for analyzing the given
case to you, which methods would you like to apply in the given case and
which would you like to reject? Why?
2. As the system practitioner, show the reasons of complex case situation with
the use of Multi-cause diagram.
3. Apply only one of SSM or VSM Method for providing the insights in the
Case situation. Apply all the steps involved in the method as relevant.
Final 2009
1. Discuss why the system practitioner needs to understand the concepts of
hierarchy or systems levels. Use an example to discuss this.
2. Explain the concept of 'commons' as used by Hardin. Give two examples with
reasons, one for which you consider should be treated as a 'commons' in
Hardin's sense of a limited shared resource and one for which you consider 'not'.
3. Describe and explain any three main features of 'Second order processes' while
engaging with process design.
4. Critically explain the concepts of 'system of inquiry' and 'system of interest'. Use
relevant business examples to explain them.
5. Discuss why 'recognizing', 'understanding' and 'surfacing' metaphors are
relevant in representing systems practice.
6. Using at least four examples, discuss the ways in which the MBTI represents
'systemic' approach to managing complexity.
Section B
1. Draw the conceptual model as to clarify the structure of the above Case
situation as used in SSM.
2. Write the CATWOE as relevant to the situation.
3. Use the managing ball of the juggler as systems practitioner, draw the sign
graph for the case above to show one positive or negative loop.
Final 2010
2

1. Do you think the concepts of systems level and hierarchy could be used in
analyzing sustainable development situations? Fully explain using an example to
illustrate your answer.
2. While engaging in designing a process which allows for emergent outcomes,
discuss the complete meaning of 'First order' and 'Second order' processes.
3. Drawing on your own experience and your knowledge about the evolution of
using systems ideas in the domain of sustainable development, suggest some
answers to the question 'who learns what?' for systems practice based on each of
the ethical choices:
a. Deciding for other stakeholders
b. Deciding with other stakeholders
c. Enabling stakeholders to decide
4. Discuss and explain the concept of Community of practice. Then, discuss the role
and importance of 'Ethically statements'. Give examples and/or illustrations to
support your answers.
5. Critically explain the concepts of 'system of inquiry' and 'system of interest' and
'situation of interest'. Use relevant business examples to explain them.
6. In the 'dynamics of the shadow' your text explains Jung's three principles of (the
psyche's) operations starting with the principal of opposites. Explain using a
systems diagram to show clearly the relationship between these principles.
Final 2011:
Part A: Answer Any Four Questions
1. Discuss based on your understanding and through suitable illustrations the
concepts of reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action and reflection-before-action.
2. While explaining, suggest criteria or measures of efficacy, efficiency and
effectiveness for system of inquiry into the using of new 'cold and regular flu'
drug. Do these criteria prompt the specification of further criteria?
3. Draw the summary diagram for Myers-Briggs type indicator of the four
polarities which can be seen as characterizing the personality by suggesting
answers the four polarity questions.
Question Four (15 marks): Discuss and explain the concept of Community of
Practice. Use a suitable diagram. Also discuss the role and importance of
Ethicality Statements.
4. Checkland and Scholes (1999) believe that, "Different observers will attach
different importance to different hierarchies with the choice of levels always
observer dependent ". With an example of your own, show clearly what that
means and how in the context of hierarchy and levels in systems practice.
5. Explain with suitable illustration the concept of Sustainable Development. Also
discuss the congruence between your sustainable development and your
behavior
Part B:
Question One: (40 Marks)
3

1. Describe how you would address the task below using one or more of these
systems methods:
a. hard systems method
b. soft systems method
c. viable systems method (basic and/or Viplan)
For the method(s) you choose, give your reasons. For the method(s) you reject, give
your reasons. Your answer should reflect your own experience of using systems
methods.
Multiple Qs:
1. Write about your experience as a system practitioner and draw a systemic
diagram for learning from reflecting on practice?
2. Define efficacy, efficiency, and effectiveness and use an example?
3. Draw the SSM learning inquiry and discuss it.
4. Discuss the features of Sustainable Development? Also draw a summary
diagram of the different beliefs about sustainable development.
5. Discuss the understanding for values, belief and circumstances in relation with
systems thinking. Explain their relationship with sustainable development
situation through suitable illustration.
6. Explain the concept of law of requisite variety and discuss how it is relevant to
systems thinking.
7. Discuss the framework of a system of inquiry into practice which has practice
embedded within it as the situation-of-interest which is to be improved.
8. What are the three E's? What claims are made about their inclusion in SSM?
What are the other two E's that can be added and how might they add to the use
of SSM?