https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290532 Sat, 13 Jun 2026 05:02:52 GMT Tue, 9 Aug 2016 21:19:18 GMT Copyright © 2016 OD Network https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290532 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290532 Tue, 2 Aug 2016 20:43:09 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290577 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290577 Wed, 3 Aug 2016 01:15:13 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290895 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1290895
Materials:
Large sheet of paper (think picnic table size)
Different color markers
Random assortment of knickknacks (rummage through toy chests and decorations)

Step 1: Unroll paper across picnic table
Step 2: Scatter knickknacks
Step 3: Pass out makers to each member of the group

Instructions:
-Invite members, one at a time, to identify a "single system" that is defined by commonalities among several elements.
-Ask the members to draw one single circle* around all the elements that belong to the system, and then reveal to the larger group what the system is exactly.
(*Because the items are scattered, "circles" will not be perfect. Someone will connect items across the picnic table and the circle will look more like an eggplant or a paint splash.)

Here's what you'll get:
Member 1: "All the elements I enclosed have the color red...it's a red system"
Member 2: "All the elements I enclosed would be painful if stepped on"
Member 3: "All of the elements I enclosed could be found in a antique store"
Member 4: Someone will invariably circle the all the items and say, "All the elements belong to the system of what Mrs. Kelly should have thrown away" (there's usually a joker in the group).
And so on


Debrief:
-Systems are composed of elements that share some feature
-Clearly, systems are tightly coupled in some cases because the element that can be found in an antique store can also be very painful to step on
-Sometimes systems are loosely coupled in that elements within the "antique store system" are only sometimes "red"
-Some systems within an organization are tightly coupled (working in close quarters, straight line of connection in an org chart)
-Some systems within an organization are loosely coupled (working in separate departments, dotted lines in org chart)

This is a simple intro exercise that can help individuals begin to think of "systems" in general.]]> Thu, 4 Aug 2016 14:06:54 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291771 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291771 Tue, 9 Aug 2016 21:30:53 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291772 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291772 Tue, 9 Aug 2016 21:33:35 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291773 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291773 Tue, 9 Aug 2016 21:34:03 GMT https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291785 https://www.odnetwork.org/forums/posts.aspx?topic=1291785 Tue, 9 Aug 2016 22:19:18 GMT