Running Head: SYSTEM THINKING PROJECT e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
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6-1 Activity: Systems Thinking Project Milestone
IT 200
SNHU
SYSTEM THINKING PROJECT e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
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1. System Thinking – System thinking refers to the act of stepping back from a
complicated problem in order to obtain a bigger picture. It is a holistic approach that allows
individuals to analyze how the constituent parts of a system are interrelated. It also helps in
the analysis of the manner in which the systems work within the larger systems. It helps in
analyzing every step instead of focusing on a single aspect of the entire system.
2. Collection – In simple words, collection refers to the process of grouping the
individual nodes in a given system.
3. Feedback Loop – As everything is interconnected, there exist constant flows and
feedback loops between different elements of a system. A feedback loop is responsible for
providing accurate information relating to a node in a given system. It allows making tweaks
or changes in order to obtain the desired outcome of the system.
4. Stock and Flow Diagram – Stock and flow diagrams are the diagrams that help in
identifying variables in a given system and discerning what compels them to change.
5. Causal Loop Diagram – A causal loop diagram plays an important role in
presenting the manner in which different variables interact with each other in a given
system.
SYSTEM THINKING PROJECT e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
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System Model
Placement of
online order of
customers
through LPO
portal.e
Warehouse
computer
Receiving the order
by the employees
Employee used
inventory tracking
system to locate
items
Employee takes
the items from
respective shelves e
The items are
send to the
fulfillment
department
The customer
items are packed
and tracking
number is assigned
Customer items is
shipped through
USPS
The shipment
status is checked
and status updated
from processing to
shipped
Customer receives the
order
Status changed from
shipped to delivered
A Thank You
card is sent to
the customer
Customer gives a
review
SYSTEM THINKING PROJECT e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
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System Model
Placement of
online order of
customers
through LPO
portal.e
Warehouse
computer
Receiving the order
by the employees
Employee used
inventory tracking
system to locate
items
Employee takes
the items from
respective shelves e
The items are
send to the
fulfillment
department
The customer
items are packed
and tracking
number is assigned
Customer items is
shipped through
USPS
The shipment
status is checked
and status updated
from processing to
shipped
Customer receives the
order
Status changed from
shipped to delivered
A Thank You
card is sent to
the customer
Customer gives a
review
SYSTEM THINKING PROJECT e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e
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Summary
The above diagram sheds light on the individual nodes that are involved in the order
process of Lost Pines Outfitters (LPO). The diagram also reflects the various relationships
that exist with this system. The complete system has been described in this summary. The
process starts when the customers make use of the online portal of LPO in order to place an
order. The order then goes to the warehouse computer, where it is reviewed as well as
processed by an employee. With the use of the inventory tracking system, the employee then
locates the different items ordered by the customer in the warehouse. The items are then
removed from the respective shelves, and the inventory tracking system is updated in order
to show customers that their order has been picked. The items are sent to the fulfillment
department, where the order is packed properly and given a tracking number. After the order
has been packed, it is shipped through USPS. An employee then updates the shipment status
from processing to shipped. The customer will then receive the order. When the customer
receives the order, the employee changes the shipment status from shipped to delivered.
After the completion of this step, a Thank You card is sent by the employee to the customer.
Moreover, the employee is also responsible for asking the customers to leave a review for
the company on the basis of their overall experience.
In this system, two feedback loops have been identified. One of the feedback loops
that are present in the system is when the customer receives the order or package and when
the customer places an order on the online portal of LPO. Another potential loop that exists
in the system is when the associate or the employee updates the information in the tracking
system and when the order of the customer has been shipped.
