NIFT Bengaluru

GE- Mandatory
Systems Thinking
July - December 2019

Two Benchmarked Assessments

Assessment 1=30 marks+Assessment 2=30 marks +Final Jury =40 Marks= 100 Marks

This module teaches systems thinking using a teaching methodology called Problem-Based
Learning (PBL): Students will present a challenge/problem (wicked problem) and will be
asked to solve the challenge using systems thinking.
The problem-solving process can be summarised in seven steps:

Step One: The group discusses the problem or

challenge based on their prior knowledge and
experience. They identify what they know.

Step Two: The group identifies what they need to

know to solve the problem. During this step, the
group analyzes and breaks the problem down into
components, discussing implications, entertaining
possible explanations or solutions, and developing
working hypotheses.

Step Three: It is during this step that the team

identifies and allocates tasks and develops study
plans to discover the needed information. The
group develops a plan outlining what further
information or knowledge they need to solve the
problem. The plan should include: A list of
resources to consult, including articles, websites,
etc., and a list of specific actions that need to be
completed and the name of the individual who will
complete them.

Step Four: The students collect information in

the classroom through experiments, mini-lectures,
etc., and outside of the classroom through field
trips, interviews, etc.

Step Five: As the group gathers information, they analyse and evaluate the data. Data may
confirm or challenge their working assumptions about the problem and cause the group to
reexamine what they know and what they need to know.

Step Six: The group proposes a solution to the problem or challenge.

Step Seven: Communicating their solution is the final step. This allows others to review,
confirm or challenge the findings. Thus, the learning process continues.

Prashanth KC
Associate Professor⎥Department of Fashion Communication⎥NIFT Bengaluru
Prashanth.kochuveetil@nift.ac.in
Benchmarked Assesment
1a=25 marks

Group presentation,
Spot Evaluation,
Venue: N-15 Class Room,
Date: 28th August 2019 to 04th September 2019
Time: 3:00pm to 6:00 pm.

Brief
1) Identify a problem the first step in the Design Process is with
– An Identification of a Problem.
– An Observed Need.
– A New Idea for a
o Product
o System
2) Through questions you may ask in order to find an answer
– Who ? - would need it
– What ? - is needed
– When ? - is it needed
– Where ? - is it needed
– Why ? - is it needed
– How Many ? - are needed

3) Based on the above develop a brief which is a clear and concise description of the
problem.
– Identify the antecedents and precedents of the problem
– Identify the underlying needs
– Collect data
– Identify the manifested patterns
– List any design constraints (limits), such as function, appearance, time, legal
issues, cost, etc.

Prashanth KC
Associate Professor⎥Department of Fashion Communication⎥NIFT Bengaluru
Prashanth.kochuveetil@nift.ac.in
Benchmarked Assesment
1b=5 marks ( 1a+1b=30 marks)

Individual presentation,
Spot Evaluation,
Venue: N-15 Class Room,
Date: 18th September 2019
Time: 3:00pm to 6:00 pm.
Brief

1. Systems thinking uses social research methods to help ground the results and
mitigate the risk of any course of action.
2. The student will identify a brand, study the brand personality based on the
constructs developed by David Aaker.
3. The student will use appropriate methodology to document the observations like
‘POEMS’ and ‘AEIOU’.
4. The student should attempt the to resolve the following common business
problems, with neat sketches and images.

a. Promoting the adoption of a new technology

b. Identifying the most important questions that a product/services should

address

c. Translating insights in to actionable solutions.

d. Prioritising the order in which a portfolio of products and services

should be launched.

e. Connecting design efforts to an organisation/ business strategy

f. Integrating design as a fundamental aspect of strategic brand intent.

g. Existing problems and ongoing challenges

h. Current benefits and successes to be leveraged

i. Unmet client/customer needs

j. Changing client/customer behaviours and attitudes

k. Emerging ideas and trends

l. Opportunities to differentiate.

Prashanth KC
Associate Professor⎥Department of Fashion Communication⎥NIFT Bengaluru
Prashanth.kochuveetil@nift.ac.in
Benchmarked Assesment 2 =30 marks ,
Please note : This will also be the End-Term Jury Brief

Group presentation,
Spot Evaluation,

Date and time will be shared later.

Brief
Using Dynamic Thinking Tools propose a design solution for any one problem affecting
an individual/brand/society.

The dynamic thinking tools that may be used but not limited to, are as
follows.

1. Behavior Over Time (BOT) Diagrams are more than simple line projections
—the capture the dynamic relationships among variables. For example, say
we were trying to project the relationship between sales, inventory, and
production. If sales jump 20 percent, production cannot jump
instantaneously to the new sales number. In addition, inventory must drop
below its previous level while production catches up with sales. By
sketching out the behavior of different variables on the same graph , we
can gain a more explicit understanding of how these variables interrelate.

2.Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) provide a useful way to represent dynamic inter
relationships. CLDs make explicit one’s understanding of a
system’s structure, provide a visual representation to help
communicate that understanding, and capture complex
systems in a succinct form. CLDs can be combined with
BOTs to form structure behavior pairs, which provide a rich
framework for describing complex dynamic phenomena.

Define all the variables involved in the design, map all the
feasible possibilities and develop the design brief meeting
the requirements.

Identify the leverage point for intervention and propose a

solution for the problem identified.
All the Best

Prashanth KC
Associate Professor⎥Department of Fashion Communication⎥NIFT Bengaluru
Prashanth.kochuveetil@nift.ac.in