Applying Systems Thinking and
Common Archetypes to Organizational Issues

Module 2: Organizational Learning and Systems Thinking Framework

Test Your Knowledge
Organizational Learning Context

1. Systems Thinking focuses primarily on "how to" solve messy problems rather than "what is" the problem or "why do" we have the problem.?

  T
  F
 

2. The focus of Systems Thinking is to generate the optimal solution rather than expand the choices available to us.

  T
  F
 

3. The Systems Thinking process enables teams to clarify and expand their thinking as well as build their collective capacity for inquiry.

  T
  F

 


4. To be most effective, Systems Thinking requires us to be clearer about the results we aspire to.

  T
  F

 


5. The exogenous forces are the most important determinants of system performance.

  T
  F

 


6. Appreciating the unintended and often delayed consequences of our actions is a key theme of Systems Thinking.

  T
  F

 


7. According to the Systems Thinking approach, changing our actions must precede changes in our thinking.

  T
  F

 


8. The ultimate aim of Systems Thinking is to better equip us to more effectively react to crises.

  T
  F

 


9. The more we focus our attention and efforts on structure, the more likely it is that we'll see improvement in outcomes and performance.

  T
  F

 


10. The best way to resolve creative tension is to lower our targets and to be more realistic about our aspirations.

  T
  F

 


11. "Morale around here has been deteriorating steadily since 1998."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


12. "Morale is really low right now."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


13. "Morale seems to be driven by the immense workload pressure we are experiencing."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


14. "There were two near-misses on the flight deck yesterday"
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


15. "The number of safety incidents rose 20% last year."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
 

Structure
 


16. "It seems like the harder we push our new initiative, the more resistance we encounter."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


17. "Our spare parts inventory seems to follow predictable swings."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


18. "The mindset in our unit is 'If it ain't our problem, just ignore it!'"
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


19. "The more the paperwork piles up around here, the more overwhelmed we get and the more we just ignore the new incoming requests."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure
 


20. "Our recruitment activity over the past six months has soared dramatically."
This is an example of a/an _____________

  Event
  Pattern
  Structure