Introduction to Systems Thinking
WGU D372 Task 1 |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Introduction:
Wilde’s Bramble is an increasingly popular Organic food company located in rural Vermont. Alder
and Calla modest start began with simple farmers’ markets stands, which overall worked very well as a
word-of-mouth marketing tactic.
Events:
With the knowledge of their company growing, local shops and restaurants began desiring more
and more produce from Wilde’s Bramble. This caused Alder and Calla to desire an expansion of their
production capabilities, but they had a decision to make. Either continue the way they had been with
only moderate profit or take a risk and increase the overall potential of their company. This would
require taking on debt to start their expansion by leasing more farmland as well as additional
equipment.
Patterns:
Unfortunately, this increased debt would eat at their overall profit before they would be able to
pay back their loans and really start making the profit they desired when they set out with their
expansion.
Structure:
In essence, with the demand of production climbing, Adler and Calla made the decision to take
on more debt to increase production. This increase in debt unfortunately created a dilemma by slashing
total profit even with the increase in sales.
Behavior Over Time Graph:
This graph (option 2 for case study 1) best represents the
patterns present because it shows the initial influx of
Profit, sales, and debt. As the graph continues however, it
shows the obvious shortcoming of the debt exceeding
overall sales, but even more concerning, completely
overwhelming the profit to the point where take-home
profit is non-existent as the money from sales goes to
cover debt payments.
Analysis:
As we look at the underlying structure of Wilde’s Bramble, it turns out to be quite common
among companies, especially start up companies. Wilde’s Bramble had a remarkably successful
beginning, which caused a desire for more growth. This desired growth had some necessary steps that
WGU D372 Task 1 |Latest Update with Complete
Solution
Introduction:
Wilde’s Bramble is an increasingly popular Organic food company located in rural Vermont. Alder
and Calla modest start began with simple farmers’ markets stands, which overall worked very well as a
word-of-mouth marketing tactic.
Events:
With the knowledge of their company growing, local shops and restaurants began desiring more
and more produce from Wilde’s Bramble. This caused Alder and Calla to desire an expansion of their
production capabilities, but they had a decision to make. Either continue the way they had been with
only moderate profit or take a risk and increase the overall potential of their company. This would
require taking on debt to start their expansion by leasing more farmland as well as additional
equipment.
Patterns:
Unfortunately, this increased debt would eat at their overall profit before they would be able to
pay back their loans and really start making the profit they desired when they set out with their
expansion.
Structure:
In essence, with the demand of production climbing, Adler and Calla made the decision to take
on more debt to increase production. This increase in debt unfortunately created a dilemma by slashing
total profit even with the increase in sales.
Behavior Over Time Graph:
This graph (option 2 for case study 1) best represents the
patterns present because it shows the initial influx of
Profit, sales, and debt. As the graph continues however, it
shows the obvious shortcoming of the debt exceeding
overall sales, but even more concerning, completely
overwhelming the profit to the point where take-home
profit is non-existent as the money from sales goes to
cover debt payments.
Analysis:
As we look at the underlying structure of Wilde’s Bramble, it turns out to be quite common
among companies, especially start up companies. Wilde’s Bramble had a remarkably successful
beginning, which caused a desire for more growth. This desired growth had some necessary steps that
