Systems Thinking Project Milestone Rubric
Criteria
Exemplary (100%)
Proficient (85%)
Needs
Improvement (55%)
Not Evident (0%)
Value
Systems Thinking
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detai
Defines and gives
an example of
systems thinking
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
Collections
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Describes
collections and how
they are
distinguished from
systems
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
Feedback Loops,
Stock and Flow,
and Causal Loops
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Defines feedback
loops, stock and
flow diagrams, and
causal loop
diagrams, and gives
an example of each
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions: areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
System Modeling
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Models a given
system using
Microsoft Visio
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions, areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
Relationship
Modeling
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Models a stock and
flow or causal loop
diagram based on a
given system
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
System
Description
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Identifies and
describes the parts
of a given system
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions, areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
12
System
Interactions
Submission
exceeds the
proficient criteria
and displays
exceptional
accuracy, clarity,
logic and detail
Summarizes the
interactions and
relationships within
a given system
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors or
omissions; areas for
improvement may
include accuracy,
clarity, logic, or
detail
Does not attempt
criterion
13
Articulation of
Response
Exceeds proficiency
in an exceptionally
clear, insightful,
sophisticated, or
creative manner
Clearly conveys
meaning with
correct grammar,
sentence structure,
and spelling,
demonstrating an
understanding of
audience and
purpose
Shows progress
toward proficiency,
but with errors in
grammar, sentence
structure, and
spelling, negatively
impacting
readability
Submission has
critical errors in
grammar, sentence
structure, and
spelling,
preventing
understanding of
ideas
10
Citations and
Attributions
Attributes sources
where applicable
using citation
methods with very
few minor errors
Attributes sources
where applicable,
but with consistent
minor errors
Attributes sources
where applicable,
but with major
errors
Does not attribute
sources where
applicable
5
Total:
100%
Overview
Thinking in systems allows you to view problems as parts of a whole and gives you a tool set to address those problems. In this activity, you will use your knowledge of systems thinking methodologies to analyze a scenario and map the
relationships between the parts of a system.
Prompt
To successfully complete this activity, address the following:
1. Define the following systems-thinking concepts in your own words:
1. Systems thinking
2. Collection
3. Feedback loop
4. Stock and flow diagram
5. Causal loop diagram
2. The following scenario describes the system used for fulfilling an online order at Lost Pines Outfitters, a medium-sized outdoor clothing store. Read this scenario and create a basic map of the system using Microsoft Visio.
Lost Pines Outfitters (LPO) Online
When a customer places an order through LPO’s online portal, the order is sent directly to the warehouse, where an associate takes (pulls) the selected items from warehouse shelves. Warehouse associates use a single
computer to track incoming orders, locate items in inventory, and pull inventory for fulfillment. Once LPO’s warehouse associates have pulled the items from inventory, they manually update the inventory tracking system and
the item is sent to the fulfilment department. In the fulfillment department, associates package the items for delivery to customers and assign the shipment a tracking number through the U.S. Postal Service. Once the order
has shipped, an associate in LPO’s fulfillment department manually checks the tracking information and updates the order’s delivery status. Once the customer receives the order, an associate sends a card, thanking them for
their purchase and requesting they leave a review of the item and their experience shopping with Lost Pines Outfitters.
3. Once you have mapped this system, you will map relationships contained within the system. First, identify relationships within your system diagram that represent feedback loops, and represent those loops within your model. Then,
identify a relationship within the system that could be modeled with a stock and flow or causal loop diagram, and model that diagram in Visio.
4. Compose a brief, 250- to 500-word summary of the given system, as well as the relationships present in this system. In your summary, describe the system, feedback loops, and other archetypes you identified within the system.
Guidelines for Submission
Upload a Word document that must include your written descriptions and your diagram of the system.