WGU AAN1 D459 Task 1: Case Study on
Systems Thinking Basics
AAN1 Task 1: Applying Systems
Thinking Basics
Kayla Rollett
Introduction to Systems Thinking and Applications – D459
Task 1
06/02/2026
Case Study 1
A1:
In case study 1, a key event is when the Wilde’s lease more farmland with
some money from their savings to ramp up production after they had an increase in
customers. A pattern that takes place over time is the Wilde’s adding more debt to
their already existing debt to keep up with costs. They take out a credit card,
followed by taking out a mortgage on the farm, and then Calla finds a job away from
the farm to help with cash flow. The structural cause of this pattern is the Wilde’s
increase in stress due to the pressure to produce more high quality and delicious
products. As a result, they are going more in debt while making less profit month
after month.
A2:
The best Behavior Over Time Graph for case study 1 is shown below. The
graph is the best because it shows that as sales increase for the organic food
company, the owners add more debt to try and keep up with production. While this
reduces the pressure to produce in the short term, in the long term the profits of
the company are taking on a negative hit. Unless something interrupts this pattern,
the company will have no more profits due to it all going to pay debt.
Systems Thinking Basics
AAN1 Task 1: Applying Systems
Thinking Basics
Kayla Rollett
Introduction to Systems Thinking and Applications – D459
Task 1
06/02/2026
Case Study 1
A1:
In case study 1, a key event is when the Wilde’s lease more farmland with
some money from their savings to ramp up production after they had an increase in
customers. A pattern that takes place over time is the Wilde’s adding more debt to
their already existing debt to keep up with costs. They take out a credit card,
followed by taking out a mortgage on the farm, and then Calla finds a job away from
the farm to help with cash flow. The structural cause of this pattern is the Wilde’s
increase in stress due to the pressure to produce more high quality and delicious
products. As a result, they are going more in debt while making less profit month
after month.
A2:
The best Behavior Over Time Graph for case study 1 is shown below. The
graph is the best because it shows that as sales increase for the organic food
company, the owners add more debt to try and keep up with production. While this
reduces the pressure to produce in the short term, in the long term the profits of
the company are taking on a negative hit. Unless something interrupts this pattern,
the company will have no more profits due to it all going to pay debt.
