MGT603 Assessment 3 - Systems Thinking for Operations Management Improvement

Learning Outcomes

a) Analyse, select and apply systems modelling tools in integrating, optimising and enhancing business processes within contemporary organisations.

b) Synthesise technological and non-technological solutions to business problems that promote integration and that optimise whole-of-enterprise operations

Context:
There are two approaches towards improving systems, short-term approaches that normally addresses the symptoms and rarely help understand and address the cause of the problem, and long-term approaches, which allow managers to address the real cause(s) of the problem. In this assessment, students will try to solve a practical problem by using Systems Thinking tools called System Archetypes combined with value stream mapping.

Instructions:
Assessment 3 is about uncovering the complexities in operations management generally, identifying key themes, intended and unintended consequences and proposing a holistic solution to the problem using a Systems Thinking lens.

The following scenario study provides you with a brief overview of a hypothetical problem. Be aware that the scenario provided may not cover every detail that you will need to address in the Written Report, in which case, you will need to conduct additional research, including further
research on how emergency departments function in any hospital.

Scenario
Overview:
Consider yourself as part of a team responsible for managing the operations of an emergency department of a public hospital. The emergency department has received feedback from patients suggesting that the patient wait times need to be improved. The value stream map of the current operations is shown in the attached diagram.

The Value Stream Map is can be Found via the Assessment Link. You have been tasked with improving patient turnaround time by reducing the current time to half. To complete the task you are required to identify the various System Archetypes that affect the operations of the hospital and the emergency department itself and based on the archetypes, develop a future State Value Stream Map of the emergency department.

It is recommended that you identify and critically analyse intended and unintended consequences, recommending holistic solutions that will optimise the operations of the emergency department without compromising the performance of other functions of the hospital.

Suggested format: Your Written Report should include the following sections and sub-sections. Cover Page (Subject Name & Code, Assessment No., Student Name and Surname, Student Number, Lecturer, Year and Trimester)

Executive Summary
Table of Contents
1. Introduction/Background

2. Main Discussion
2.1. Identification and analysis of the System Archetypes that may impede performance

2.2. Analysis of the current State Value Stream Map of the emergency department based on System Archetypes

2.3. Recommended new State Value Stream Map with desired reduction in patient turnaround time

2.4. Discussion on Intended and unintended consequences of the modified system

3. Conclusion
4. Recommendations
5. References
6. Appendices (Appendix A, Appendix B, …)

Submission Instructions:
This Written Report is to be written according to academic writing guidelines and must be submitted in compliance with the following;
1. You should make significant references to the subject material and substantial wider reading. A minimum five (5) academic (books & peer-reviewed journal articles)& two (2) other sources (newspaper article, trade publications, websites, etc.) must be used. These should be referenced in the APA style, both in-text and in a reference list. References to ‘Wikipedia’ or similar unsubstantiated sources will not be accepted.

2. The assignment is to include in-text citations and a reference list following the latest APA referencing style. 

3. Submit Written Report (with references) via the Assessment link in the main navigation menu in MGT603 Systems thinking on the Student Portal.