Assignment title: Information
49004 Systems Engineering for Managers
Assessment Item 2-- Assignment 1.
Aims:
This assignment aims to give you an opportunity to:
• Research and consider an issue of reasonable complexity using the concepts of systems and
systems thinking considered in class and your research;
• Apply tools and techniques considered in class to capture your thoughts and ideas on the
topic researched.
Introduction and Requirements:
Sydney's new alcohol Laws are a part of the NSW Government's crackdown on drug and alcoholfueled violence. The Laws include:
• 1.30am lockouts and 3am last drinks at hotels, registered clubs, nightclubs and licensed
karaoke bars are in force across the new Sydney CBD Entertainment Precinct.
• 10pm NSW wide- ban on takeaway alcohol sales.
These laws have been operational for some time and are subject to a review now. There are a
number of arguments that have been mounted for and against these lockout laws. Those for the
laws tend to argue for safer neighborhoods while those against tend to argue for livelier
neighborhoods and preservation of businesses. A number of cultural, economic and social factors
are involved in these arguments.
Research the literature to identify these factors. Consider how the factors interrelate so as to give
rise to the need to trade- off various aspects. Remember to consider the possible perspectives of
various stakeholders.
Create a detailed Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) to capture your findings and show the essential
arguments of both sides, and the bases for them. Remember to look at the systemic interrelationships involved in this scenario, and to capture these through your CLD. In view of your CLD,
indicate the dominant factors that one must consider when trying to justify one's views on the
impact of these laws.
There is no "right" or "wrong" answer here – the arguments can be very subjective, though claiming
to rely on facts and statistics. Your response will be judged by your understanding of the systemic
nature of the situation, and your ability to capture it in a CLD drawn correctly (i.e. following the
conventions of drawing the CLD as discussed in class).
Ensure that your response does not merely summarize the literature. Such a response will not
attract many marks.
This assignment is to be done individually, and not in collaboration with anyone else.
Notes:
• What I will be looking for in your responses is your application of the systems thinking and of
some tools of systems thinking.
• Ensure that all your sources of information are properly acknowledged – via in-text
referencing and through a reference list. Your references should belong to scholarly
literature and/ or be articles reported in the daily media. See the subject outline for more
information on referencing. The library provides very useful guidance online. You are
reminded of the UTS policy on plagiarism. Ensure that the format and referencing in your
response is in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Subject Outline, and any
specific directions herein.
• You may draw the CLDs using Vensim or other tools.
• Marks will be deducted for incorrect spelling and grammar.
Length:
A maximum of 4 A4 size, single sided, pages, not including diagrams and tables.
No appendices are allowed. Format must be as advised in the Subject Outline.
Due: See the Subject Outline.
Detailed submission instructions are available in the Subject Outline but are summarized below.
Standard Mode Students:
Hard copies (with appropriately signed coversheets) are to be handed during the first 30 minutes of
class. Tuesday class students are to submit in the Assignment Box kept outside the lecture room for
the Friday class by 6.30pm.
Distance Mode Students:
Submit soft copies online. One copy for marking and one into Turnitin, submitted as indicated in the
Subject Outline.
All Modes:
• Ensure that your name and student identifier appears on each page (header or footer).
• You also need to submit a soft copy into Turnitin, using the link in the Assignments
Submission folder in UTS Online. Remember to remove the cover sheet from your
submission into Turnitin.
References: (Available via the subject LRM eReadings – link in UTSOnline)
The following references may be helpful to you in understanding the CLD.
• Kirkwood, "System Behaviour and Causal Loop Diagram",
• Sterman, JD, "Causal Loop Diagrams"