Self, Systems and Leadership: Building Learning Organizations

An 8 – 10 page paper that discusses strategies to build a learning organization in a specific team or department. The paper consists of two parts

1. As a case analysis, identify a challenge a specific organization that is not a learning organization faces; diagnose the issue by describing the impact of one or more system archetypes, and one or more learning disabilities
2. Recommend a plan to build a learning organization in the specific organization described in the case analysis by applying each of Senge’s five disciplines

The final paper must adhere to APA standards and cite five or more scholarly sources including three peer-reviewed journal articles. In addition to the journal articles, you may use your course textbooks and additional scholarly sources as appropriate.

Part I: Case Analysis

Select an organization that is currently not a learning organization in which one or more system archetypes and learning disabilities are evident; the case analysis works best when you select a team or department with which you are familiar. For example, rather than selecting the entire military, focus on the specific unit where you are (or were) assigned.

Briefly describe the organization, identifying a specific problem or challenge that exists. Diagnose the problem by describing one or more system archetypes, and one or more learning disabilities that impact it. Your analysis must include theoretical definitions of the selected system archetype and learning disability as well as a description of how each affects the problem or challenge in this organization (3 – 4 pages).

Part II: Recommendations and Action Plan

For the organization discussed in the Case Analysis, recommend an action plan to transform it into a learning organization. The action plan must include one or more specific activities for each of the five disciplines that could be utilized over time to create positive change with the organization; these activities may come from The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook or other academic sources. For example, in preparing a recommendation for systems thinking, begin by identifying leverage point(s) for change for the system archetype(s) discussed in the case analysis, and then discuss strategies to address it (4 – 6 pages).