WGU D372 - Introduction to Systems
Thinking (WMM1) Task 3
Name
Student ID:
D372 - Introduction to Systems Thinking (WMM1)
Task 3
STEP 1 - Complete an Iceberg Tool for this case study:
a. What are the key events in this case study?
Hospital stay costs are increasing dramatically and continuing to rise with no end in sight. Hospitals are trying to
find ways to reduce these costs such as testing the use of robots in the case of James Memorial hospital. Even
though they are being used successfully in non-patient care impactful methods such as room cleaning,
dishwashing, food prep and more, it is causing some potential patients to turn away from the hospital despite
this program being successful in its intended functions and reduction of costs.
b. What patterns do you notice in the key events of this case study?
Healthcare costs are continuously rising and then robots are implemented to combat the rising costs and to save
money where possible. In using this method, they are indeed reducing costs, but it is causing patients to worry
about the quality of their care being reduced and therefore no longer attending James Memorial hospital.
c. What structure(s) explain the patterns of events in this case study?
Patient acceptance will slowly increase over time as James Memorial hospital proves that the addition of their
robots to help with rising healthcare costs is not impactful to their care in a negative manner.
STEP 2 - “Behaviour Over Time Diagram”:
Behavior Costs of Healthcare
Patient Acceptance
# of Patients
# of Robots
Time
Thinking (WMM1) Task 3
Name
Student ID:
D372 - Introduction to Systems Thinking (WMM1)
Task 3
STEP 1 - Complete an Iceberg Tool for this case study:
a. What are the key events in this case study?
Hospital stay costs are increasing dramatically and continuing to rise with no end in sight. Hospitals are trying to
find ways to reduce these costs such as testing the use of robots in the case of James Memorial hospital. Even
though they are being used successfully in non-patient care impactful methods such as room cleaning,
dishwashing, food prep and more, it is causing some potential patients to turn away from the hospital despite
this program being successful in its intended functions and reduction of costs.
b. What patterns do you notice in the key events of this case study?
Healthcare costs are continuously rising and then robots are implemented to combat the rising costs and to save
money where possible. In using this method, they are indeed reducing costs, but it is causing patients to worry
about the quality of their care being reduced and therefore no longer attending James Memorial hospital.
c. What structure(s) explain the patterns of events in this case study?
Patient acceptance will slowly increase over time as James Memorial hospital proves that the addition of their
robots to help with rising healthcare costs is not impactful to their care in a negative manner.
STEP 2 - “Behaviour Over Time Diagram”:
Behavior Costs of Healthcare
Patient Acceptance
# of Patients
# of Robots
Time
