28 Sep Through the lens of the business novel The Goal, you have been following many characters, complex business issues, and various management methodologies proposed for correcting problems

WMBA-6040B/MMSL-6645/WMBA-6040/MGMT-6645

WMBA6040 Improving Business Performance

Week 7 Discussion

The Goal—Part 2

Through the lens of the business novel The Goal, you have been following many characters, complex business issues, and various management methodologies proposed for correcting problems. In choosing to write a novel, the authors are able to explore abstract concepts in an informative and accessible format. In effect, they are comparing and contrasting strategies in a realistic setting, rather than presenting their argument in an academic article. This format helps meet the intent of the Discussions for this module, in which you can relate the concepts of this book to your experiences and understanding of the business world.

This week is a continuation from Week 6, in which you used critical thinking skills to analyze business issues from the business novel The Goal. You will analyze the relevance of systems thinking concepts described in the book to effective business practices.

To prepare for this Discussion:

Read pages 124–236 (Chapters 17–28) of The Goal.

As you read this part of the book, consider passages that contain ideas that you find compelling and particularly relevant to effective business management. You will select at least three passages to discuss this week.

In addition, consider how understanding these concepts might have influenced your past decision making.

By Day 3

Post your analysis of The Goal, to include the following:

Identify three or more short passages from this week’s assigned reading in The Goal that contain one or two essential ideas that you found compelling, and explain why each passage you chose is relevant to and important in effective business management. Be sure to include the citation for each passage in your explanation.

(Note: A theme you can focus on this week is explaining why the techniques that the team are implementing are working, as well as how “breaking the rules” in this case makes sense from a systems performance perspective.)

Then, reflect on and complete this statement based on your own experience: “If I had only known this back when…”

Refer to the Week 7 Discussion Rubric for specific grading elements and criteria. Your Instructor will use this grading rubric to assess your work.

Read some of your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 5

Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ posts in one or more of the following ways:

Provide an insight you gained from the passages your colleague found compelling or from another example from the book.

Ask a clarifying question about your colleague’s analysis, either of the concept from the book or of their reflection on past experiences.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.