Systems Analysis
Scenario
You are an employee at a consulting firm that assists other businesses in solving systems problems within their organizations. Ann Jemisin, president of Lost Pines Outfitters, a local and online clothing retailer, has asked for your assistance. During the intake process, she sends information on her company, their processes, and the issues they would like you to remedy. Your superior has asked you to create an analysis of the existing systems in Anne's business. Your analysis is an initial appraisal of the situation at Lost Pines Outfitters, making preliminary recommendations to address the issues identified by your client. As you write your analysis, focus on the application of systems thinking processes and best practices to the scenario and the identified issues.
Directions
System Analysis
Lost Pines Outfitters has provided you with a specifications document describing the current processes in place in their business, and the issues they would like to address through the application of systems thinking processes. Using this information, create an analysis that addresses the following requirements:
Description: Before you make recommendations to fix the system, you must first describe the system in its current state. In your analysis, identify the parts of the current system, and consider the main nodes of the system and the high-level processes and components in place at Lost Pines Outfitters. Once you have identified the parts of the system, describe the interactions and relationships between parts of the system and identify and describe the feedback loops in the system.
Recommendations: Once you have described the current system, examine the problems offered by the client. Using systems thinking principles, pose recommendations to existing systems based on client needs and systems thinking best practices. In your recommendation, consider both the interactions and relationships between parts of the system, as well as the feedback loops present. Then, describe the potential impact of changes to the system. In your recommendations and description, focus on the application of systems thinking concepts and best practices to the identified problems.
Modeling: Following your analysis and recommendation, construct a model of a system including recommended changes. This model should represent your recommended changes and include parts, interactions, relationships, and feedback loops for your recommended changes.
Conclusion: In the conclusion of your analysis, describe the benefits of systems thinking within a business environment. In this description, demonstrate how the application of systems thinking allowed you to analyze the problems and equipped you to solve the identified issues.
What to Submit
To complete this project, you must submit the following:
Systems Analysis
Generate a report that analyzes the current systems in place at Lost Pines Outfitters and recommends changes to these systems/processes in line with client requests. This report should include initial recommendations for process and technology improvements focused on enhancing the client’s systems. Additionally, the report should contain a visualization modeling the recommended system for the client.
Sample Solution
Lost Pines Outfitters is a local and online clothing retailer. The company has been in business for 10 years and has a loyal customer base. However, in recent years, the company has been facing some challenges. Sales have been declining, and the company is struggling to compete with larger online retailers.
The company's current system is made up of the following parts:
- Customers: Lost Pines Outfitters has a loyal customer base of people who live in the local area and who appreciate the company's commitment to sustainability.
- Products: The company sells a variety of outdoor clothing and gear, all of which are made from sustainable materials.
Full Answer Section
- Marketing: The company uses a variety of marketing channels to reach its customers, including print advertising, online advertising, and social media.
- Sales: The company has a team of salespeople who work with customers to find the right products for their needs.
- Warehouse: The company has a warehouse where it stores its products.
- Shipping: The company uses a third-party shipping company to deliver its products to customers.
- The company should focus on its strengths. Lost Pines Outfitters has a loyal customer base and a commitment to sustainability. The company should focus on these strengths to differentiate itself from its competitors.
- The company should improve its marketing efforts. The company should use a variety of marketing channels to reach its customers, but it should focus on channels that are most effective in reaching its target market.
- The company should improve its inventory management. The company should make sure that it has the right products in stock to meet the needs of its customers. This will help to avoid stockouts, which can lead to lost sales.
- The company should use data analytics to make better decisions. The company should collect data on its customers, products, and sales. This data can be used to make better decisions about marketing, inventory management, and other aspects of the business.
- Declining sales: By understanding the factors that are contributing to declining sales, the company can make changes to its marketing, inventory management, and other strategies to improve sales.
- Competition from larger online retailers: By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of its competitors, the company can develop strategies to compete more effectively.
- Challenges with inventory management: By improving its inventory management, the company can avoid stockouts and lost sales.